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How to Write a Case Study

There are many different kinds of case studies. There are also various uses for writing case

studies, from academic research purposes to provision of corporate proof points. Depending

upon the intended audience and use of the case study writing, the tone, type and design of a

case study can vary greatly. There are approximately four types of case studies: illustrative

(descriptive of events), exploratory (investigative), cumulative (collective information

comparisons) and critical (examine particular subject with cause and effect outcomes). After

becoming familiar with the different types and styles of case study instructions and how each

applies to your purposes, there are some steps that make writing flow smoothly and ensure the

development and delivery of a uniform case study that can be used to prove a point or illustrate

accomplishments.

1. Determine which case study type, design or style is most applicable to your intended

audience. Corporations may choose illustrative case studies to show what has been done for aclient; schools, educators and students may select cumulative or critical case studies and legal

teams may demonstrate exploratory (investigative) case studies as a way to provide factual

evidence.

2. Review sample case studies that are similar in style and scope to get an idea of 

composition and format. Sample case studies can be found online and the library also serves as

a good place to conduct research on case studies.

3. Research case studies that have been published on the same or similar subject matter.

4. Select participants that you will interview for inclusion in your case study. Experts in a

particular field of study or customers that have implemented a tool or service that is the subject

of the study will provide the best information.

5. Determine whether you will interview an individual or group of individuals to serve as

examples in your case study. It may be beneficial for participants to gather as a group and

provide insight collectively. If the study focuses on personal subject matter or medical issues, it

may be better to conduct personal interviews.

6. Gather as much information as possible about your subjects to ensure that you develop

interviews and activities that will result in obtaining the most advantageous information to your

study.

7. Draft a list of interview questions and decide upon how you will conduct your study

whether via in-person group interviews and activities or phone interviews.

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8. Set up interviews with subject matter experts (account managers in a corporation,

clients and customers using applicable tools and services, etc.).

9. Conduct interviews, asking the same or similar questions of all subjects involved to

ensure that you get different perspectives on a similar subject or service. Be sure to ask open-

ended questions while conducting interviews to foster a discussion.

10. Request data and materials from subjects as applicable to add credibility to your

findings and future presentations of your case study. Clients can provide statistics about usage

of a new tool or product and participants can provide photos and quotes that show evidence of 

findings that may support the case.

11. Collect and analyze all applicable data, including documents, archival records,

observations and artifacts.

12. Organize all of your data in the same place to ensure easy access to information andmaterials while writing the case study.

13. Develop and write your case study using the data collected throughout the research,

interviewing and analysis processes.

Include at least four sections in your case study: an introduction, background information

explaining why the case study was created, presentation of findings and a conclusion which

clearly presents all of the data and references.

Include customer quotes and data (percentages, awards and findings) if possible to add apersonal touch and more credibility to the case presented.