Case studies are ubiquitous. We find them in school, college, and business settings, and even when we contemplate a purchase. Yet, many people struggle to effectively craft their own case studies, especially when faced with this task for the first time. If you venture writing your first case study and donโt know where to begin โ donโt worry, the following guide will help you grasp the basics of a successful case study writing in no time.
What is a case study: a quick overview
The classic case study definition says that it is a document that describes in detail a successful experience or result of someoneโs work, offering a solution to a problem or achieving particular goals. A case study shows how specific products, services, or strategies lead to specific results.
They are often used in marketing as a powerful tool to persuade potential customers and demonstrate competence. Such case studies represent stories of clients who struggle with various problems, and how they found solutions thanks to the service or product offered.
A good case study proves that a program, product, or service does what it advertises. The readers identify themselves with the main characters because they have similar problems or needs. As a result, the readers will take actions, for example, follow a program, or buy a product or service.
Talking about type of case studies, several varieties are available:
|
Type of Case Study |
Description |
Example Application |
| Exploratory | Showcases a new product or area of inquiry, often with limited prior information. | Targeted research to explore consumer attitudes to a new product. |
| Descriptive | Provides an in-depth description of a particular case or situation, with the goal of illustrating key characteristics. | Case study of a novel business model in the IT industry. |
| Instrumental | Shows how to solve a problem or improve behavior, often involving actions taken. | Case study of an action plan directed at enhancing employee motivation. |
| Collective | Examines a community as the unit of analysis, rather than an individual case. | Case study of a townโs response to a natural disaster, involving multiple stakeholders. |
Why write a case study?
People do not like intrusive advertising. So how can you advertise to attract attention and encourage action?
With this respect, it is useful to know that:
- 88% of customers read the opinions of other users before purchasing a product or service;
- 90% of people trust opinions posted online.
So, whatโs the answer? Thanks to a case study, we give the floor to a satisfied client instead of writing about ourselves. A case study combines informative product content with an emotional opinion that inspires trust.
How to make a case study โ step-by-step instructions
Knowing the definition and understanding the purpose of a case study, writing one shouldnโt be a problem. Now, letโs review a case study example. This is a step-by-step action plan for how to improve employee engagement in an imaginary ABC company.ย
Step 1. Write the introduction:
- Give background information on the ABC company and its industry.
- Introduce the corporate initiative directed at increasing employee engagement.
Example: Introduce a case study on ABC’s implementation of a reward program to boost employee engagement and loyalty.
Step 2. Come up with a problem statement:
- State the main problem or challenge related to employee engagement.
Example: The problem is declining employee engagement and high turnover rates within ABC company.
Step 3. Design the methodology:
- Describe the methods used to evaluate employee engagement and make relevant recommendations on implementing a reward program.
Example: Conducted an employee survey and consulted with the HR department to evaluate current levels of engagement and turnover rate.
Step 4. Conduct the analysis:
- Analyze the data collected to identify key contributors to low employee engagement.
Example: Discovered that rigid management style, lack of incentives, and limited opportunities for career advancement were the key contributors to low engagement.
Step 5. Find a solution:
- Propose a corporate-level reward program to address the identified issues and boost employee engagement.
Example: Implement a reward and incentives program offering flexible work hours, recognition rewards, and performance-based career advancement opportunities.
Step 6. Describe the results:
- Present the outcomes of implementing a particular corporate initiative.
Example: Employee engagement scores increased by 22% within three months of launching the incentive program.
Step 7. Open up a discussion:
- Discuss the implications of the results and any lessons learned from implementing the incentive program.
Example: The success of the incentive program underlines the importance of prioritizing employee engagement and loyalty to drive organizational success.
Step 8. Conclude your case study:
- Summarize the main points of the case study and reiterate the significance of the corporate incentive program.
Example: The case study highlights the positive impact of corporate initiatives to enhance employee engagement and loyalty.
The above guide can serve as a universal case study outline and be applied to any similar task requiring convincing someone to perform a certain action.ย
Peculiarities of a case study format
A case study is a stand-alone type of work that is different in format from a typical research work or a white paper. Unfortunately, these differences are often overlooked in school and college curriculums. Consequently, recent graduates may lack an understanding of a case-study format.
But before you attack the Internet community by asking โWho can write my case study for meโ, there is an easy way to learn its peculiarities compared to, for example, a white paper:
|
Aspect |
Case Study |
White Paper |
| Focus | Researches specific scenarios in depth, detailing problems, solutions, and results. | Addresses an issue or a group/category of issues, providing analysis and recommendations. |
| Structure | Follows a captivating narrative format, motivating readers to take action. | It has a highly structured format, organized as an informative document with standard sections like the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion. |
| Audience | Aims at general, academic, or professional audiences, comprising customers, educators, or business practitioners. | Aims at professionals, policymakers, or industry experts seeking authoritative opinions and insights. |
Additionally, case studies donโt require following rigid formatting, such as line spacing, heading and subheading styles, footnotes, or bibliographies. Neither do they require using a particular citation style.
The bottom line
Case studies have proven to be an effective tool in marketing, business, and educational settings. The main benefit of a case study is that itโs not overloaded with formatting or citation requirements. It is a narrative and often rather creative type of work aiming at persuading the reader to take particular action by following other peoplesโ examples and success stories. And if you follow this short guide step by step, you shouldnโt have any difficulties planning and then creating your first successful case study.
