Case Studies

Generally, a case study requires you to integrate practice and theory, so that you can relate theoretical concepts to real-life practical/professional situations.

A case can be an event, a happening, a person or group of people, an object, a text, an idea or an institution etc.  You are analysing the case by mapping it against a theoretical explanation, in order to understand and see the big picture – What has happened? Why has it happened?

It can be in the form of an essay or a report (check the assignment question and check with your lecturer/tutor).

You may be asked to identify:

  • the major problems in the case and why these have arisen
  • the potential solutions to the problems, and
  • recommendations and justifications.

Identification of problems:

  • Provide an overview of the case study.
  • Summarise the problems (including the evidence and causes), from major to minor, in your own words.
  • Relate the identified problems to theory.

Solutions to identified problems:

  • Provide rational and reasonable solutions to the problems you have identified in the case.
  • Evaluate each solution in terms of its advantages and disadvantages, costs involved, levels of expertise/ resources needed to implement them etc.
  • You might want to consider the following when evaluating the solutions: costs /time /resources /levels of expertise.

Recommendations: 

  • Outline your recommendations based on the solutions for each of the identified problems.
  • Your recommendations should be realistic, practical and achievable, and be supported by relevant theories.

 

Common errors in case study writing

  • not fully understanding the case and 'what's going on'
  • oversimplfying the problems and not engaging with the deeper issues
  • making unrealistic recommendations which are not feasible nor affordable
  • not engaging at a deeper level and being able to 'interpret the facts' of what is going on' behind the scenes

 

 

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Adapted from:
Morley-Warner, T. 2009, Academic writing is… A guide to writing in a university context, Association for Academic Language and Learning, Sydney.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 2009, Study & Learning Centre, accessed 15 June 2009, <http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/>.
 

 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.