Researching a Case Study

It is time to start researching. This research can include many different things, but usually focuses on interviews and observations.

The heart of the case study is the research notebook. Every researcher must have a physical notebook to record all finding, notes, and observations. While some computer programs and other technological advances can be used, nothing can replace the original research notebook.

Preliminary Research

Once you have chosen your topic, you must do preliminary research to determine whether the topic is viable or not. To do this, you can review newspapers, databases, industry websites, and other previously published case studies. With some topics, you might even want to discuss your idea with other people in your field.

You must be certain that you have access to enough information to accurately determine whether or not the topic is viable. It is always a good idea to have one or two backup ideas in the event your first idea doesn't pan out.

Once you have your topic, you must choose which perspective the story should be told.

From what perspective will the reader see the case?

Who is the decision maker in the case?

When will the story begin, and when will it end?

You want the case study to be a readable story, so you want to make sure you include enough background, so the reader is invested in the story and the study. You want to include enough background that your readers get invested in the story, but not so much they are overwhelmed with too much information.

Make a Timeline

Constructing a timeline is the next step. This timeline should list all events in chronological order, and can be several pages long. However, it will help both you and the reader to understand the time frame, and be able to keep the people and events straight. It can be easy to forget what happened, and when, without a detailed timeline.

It is also important to set your own timeline. When do you want the case study completed by? If you have one year to complete the study, you must determine how much time you have to conduct background information, do interviews, have time to analyze the findings, and writing the report. Using a timeline can help you stay on task. ]]>