What Is the Process for Developing a Case Study?

While case studies are smaller than larger, research-based studies, their development still requires a strict and detailed systematic plan. There are several steps required to complete a full study. We will get into more detail of each step later in the course, but the basic plan is as follows:

1. Define the Task, Question, or Topic

What is the topic of the case study? What question is the case study supposed to answer?

The first step is to determine what the case study will be about. This is when a researcher will develop their hypothesis.

This is also when research should be done to determine whether any case studies have been written on this topic in the past. This research can be difficult, since many small case studies exist. However, with the advent of the Internet, finding older studies is easier than it was in the past.



2. Do Research, Interviews, Collect Data

The research stage is the longest and most detailed of the case study process.

One of the primary methods used in case studies is an interview. Whether it is one person, or several, the interview process is extremely important. Not only must the subject have several interviews, but also other experts in the field should be interviewed. Their contribution can be invaluable.

When interviewing subjects, questions should be open-ended, so the subject is forced to answer with more than just a "yes" or "no." For example, when interviewing the those who first responded to "Genie," the researcher shouldn't say:

"When you found Genie, was she afraid of you?"

This question could easily lead to a "yes" or "no" answer. One could easily assume Genie was frightened when found, since she had no socialization skills whatsoever. Instead, the researcher should ask questions like:

"When you first found Genie, what was her disposition?"

"When you removed Genie from her home, how did she react to the sunlight and outdoors"?

"When you gave Genie a cookie in the ambulance, how did she react?"

3. Make Recommendations and Form Conclusions

What did the study prove? After gathering all of the data, what conclusions can be made?

Once the researcher has compiled all of the research, it is time to formulate the data and form a thesis. A thesis is a statement that will tell the reader what to expect from the case study. It is a single sentence that usually is within the first paragraph of the report. The thesis must make a claim that can be disputed by others.

The thesis differs from the hypothesis in that the thesis is the statement that is proven true with the case study. The hypothesis is the question or idea that the researcher had going into the study. It is possible the hypothesis and thesis are the same. However, it is also possible that once all the research has been completed, the thesis changes from the initial hypothesis.

4. Write The Report

Writing the report is the final step, but it includes several steps. A case study is a research study that requires a cover page, references, and all of the acquired data and information compiled in a readable and cohesive report.

While a case study might use scientific facts and information, a case study should not read as a scientific research journal or report. It should be easy to read and understand, and should follow the narrative determined in the first step.

Remember, the case study must analyze a case or situation in a clear and concise way, but should also be readable by people not familiar with scientific methods. The study should have four main sections: the introduction, the background of the study and why it was developed, the presentation of findings, and the conclusion.

The introduction should set the stage for the case study, and state the thesis for the report. The intro must clearly articulate what the study's intention is, as well as how you plan on explaining and answering the thesis. Again, remember that a case study is not a formal scientific research report that will only be read by scientists. The case study must be able to be read and understood by the layperson, and should read almost as a story, with a clear narrative.

The background should detail what information brought the researcher to pose the hypothesis. It should clearly explain the subject or subjects, as well as their background information. And lastly, the background must give the reader a full understanding of the issue at hand, and what process will be taken with the study. Photos and videos are always helpful, when applicable.

The presentation of findings should clearly explain how the topic was researched, and summarize what the results are. Data should be summarized as simply as possible, so it is understandable by people without a scientific background. The researcher should describe what was learned from the interviews, and how the results answered the questions asked in the introduction.

The final section of the study is the conclusion. The purpose of the study isn't necessarily to solve the problem, only to offer possible solutions. The final summary should be an end to the story. Remember, the case study is about asking and answering questions. The conclusion should answer the question posed by the researcher, but also leave the readers with questions of their own. The researcher wants the readers to think about the questions posed in the study, and be free to come to their own conclusions, as well. ]]>