Guides: Case studies: Overview

Learning objectives

This resource will help you:

Enhance your awareness around the principles of case study assessment tasks.
Develop your understanding about the process of writing a case study.
Develop your skills in creating and structuring case studies that are credible and well-supported.

What is a case study?

A case study is a research approach that is used to explore a complex issue or event in depth in a real-world context (Crowe et al., 2011). Case study assessment tasks allow students to engage in a strategy of active learning and critical decision-making skills. The topic can be an actual or hypothetical example of a person, organisation, or business.

Why are case studies used to assess learning?

Case studies provide the opportunities to develop and test our analytical skills by:

Assessing situations
Sorting and organising key information
Asking appropriate questions
Defining problems and opportunities
Identifying and evaluating alternative courses of action
Interpreting data
Evaluating the results of past strategies
Developing and defending new strategies
Making decisions under pressure and uncertainties
Critically evaluating the work of others
Responding to criticism

This video (4:07 min) gives an overview of the purpose of case studies, as well as some different types of case studies.

Top tips for writing in a case study style

Write in a descriptive and formal/objective (third person) style.
Include detail, facts, and experience from the case.
Analyse and apply to the case what you have learned in your course.
Use a mixture of paraphrasing about relevant concepts and theory and sentences that link back to details in the case.
Incorporate relevant academic literature, theories, and sources, and use in-text citations for these.

Organise a case study structure

Here is a basic contents list of the core components of a case study:

Executive summary

Introduction
1a: Context (Background)
1b: Purpose
Discussion
2a: Identification of issues and problems
2b: Solutions
Conclusion & recommendations

Reference list

Additional resources

Get feedback on your writing from Studiosity. Click the Canvas Help menu to access the service.

Plan a case study (Flinders University)
How to plan a case study with structure.
Annotated example of a business case study (Monash University)
View an annotated example of a business case studyLinks to an external site. from Monash University.
Case studies (RMIT)
This resource will help you navigate your way through the process of reading, analysing and responding to a case study.

Access Student Services

Services and support (UniSC)
UniSC offers a range of services for students, including help with academic skills, careers and employability advice, library support, and accessibility and wellbeing services. Visit Services and Support on the Student Portal to find out more.

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Case studies | Feedback (UniSC)
Help us help you! Share your thoughts on the Case studies Guide and shape the resources that will support your academic success. It will take less than 5 minutes to complete this feedback form.

References

Bain, J. D., Ballantyne, R., Packer, J., & Mills, C. (1999). Using journal writing to enhance student teachers’ reflectivity during field experience placements. Teachers and Teaching, 5(1), 51–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/1354060990050104
Bashir, M., & Verma, R. (2019). Internal factors & consequences of business model innovation. Management Decision, 57(1), 262–290. https://doi.org/10.1108/md-11-2016-0784
Crowe, S., Cresswell, K., Robertson, A., Huby, G., Avery, A., & Sheikh, A. (2011). The case study approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11(1), 1–9. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-11-100

‌Edinburgh Research Explorer “A real rollercoaster of confidence and emotions.” (n.d.).

‌Gaspary, E., Moura, G. L. D., & Wegner, D. (2020). How does the organisational structure influence a work environment for innovation. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 24(2/3), 132. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijeim.2020.105770

‌Kahu, E. R., & Nelson, K. (2018). Student engagement in the educational interface: understanding the mechanisms of student success. Higher Education Research & Development, 37(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1344197

Lizzio, A., & Wilson, K. (2008). Feedback on assessment: students’ perceptions of quality and effectiveness. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 33(3), 263–275. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701292548

RMIT Library. (2023, October 16). Case studies - Learning Lab. Learning Lab - RMIT Library. https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/case-studies/

‌Robbins, S.P. & Judge T.A.( 2012), Essentials of organizational behavior, 11 edn, Pearson Education, Essex.

Ryan, M. (2011). Improving reflective writing in higher education: a social semiotic perspective. Teaching in Higher Education, 16(1), 99–111.
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Case studies: Overview