Embedded Files
How To Write A Case Study.
In this article, I guide you through each step of writing a high-value case study. Firstly, I will explain the different kinds of case studies and their purposes. Secondly, I will showcase the depth and breadth of case studies through current academic and industry examples. Finally, I will provide a step-by-step guide for writing your case study. By the end of this guide, your innovative case study will fill research gaps with new solutions to real-world problems.
What is a case study?
A case study is an in-depth analysis of a specific subject within a real-world context. This research approach utilises qualitative or quantitative data to develop a deep understanding of the subject and the complex relationships between different factors.
Case studies often rely on qualitative data, such as interviews and documents, to collate valuable descriptive information on the subject. There are various subjects suitable for examination within a case study. Relevant subjects include an individual or group, event, phenomenon or issue which needs to be solved.
There are several kinds of case studies used by researchers and businesses:
Collective case studies: Collective case studies focus on groups of individuals to solve issues posed by a specific environment or shared characteristic.
Descriptive case studies: Descriptive case studies provide a comprehensive account of specific phenomena, events, or situations. These case studies report observations made about a subject rather than drawing conclusions about why or how something has happened.
Explanatory case studies: Unlike descriptive case studies, explanatory case studies investigate the reasons behind a phenomenon. They explore how and why something happened or didn’t happen, and predict future events based on observed patterns.
Exploratory case studies: As the name suggests, exploratory case studies investigate phenomena or situations with limited prior research literature. This preliminary research method develops subject comprehension before specific hypotheses are established, and more structured studies are conducted.
Instrumental case studies: Instrumental case studies afford deep understanding of a broader issue, phenomenon, or theory by examining an individual, group, or organisation.
Intrinsic case studies: Intrinsic case studies seek to gain a deep understanding of a specific case in its entirety. Unlike other case studies, intrinsic case study results cannot be generalised to other situations to build broader theories. The core focus of intrinsic case studies is the subject itself, in all its uniqueness and complexity.
Academic organisations and businesses use case studies to demonstrate positive steps taken to identify a relevant issue, develop a prospective solution, and reflect on the outcomes of implementing that solution.
What are some examples of a case study?
Healthcare: NHS England has published several years’ of case studies on improving patient care and cost effectiveness within General practice. Fewer case studies have been published since 2019, likely due to underfunding and restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples include:
Business: Innovate UK has a huge range of case studies on innovative business practices both within the UK and internationally. Their case studies cover many business sectors including Biotechnology, Creative Industries, Investment & Sustainability, and even Space technology. Innovate UK’s case studies are published regularly, giving you a variety of industry-leading examples to inspire your case study’s layout. Examples include:
Initiative empowering early-stage women innovators across Africa (2025)
NatureMetrics: helping to save protected species around the globe (2025)
Education: Shift Learning has published case studies on various research projects conducted for their clients within the education sector. They work with education providers as well as businesses developing products and services to improve educational accessibility and outcomes. Shift Learning case studies follow a similar format, clearly presenting the project brief, the approach taken, and achieved outcomes. The only disadvantage is that Shift Learning case studies are not dated, so it’s unclear when the studies were conducted. Examples include:
Social Sciences: Case studies are a strong research approach for the social sciences due to harnessing qualitative data to solve real-world issues. To exemplify this, I have collated case studies published by Understanding Society, the UK household longitudinal study. Understanding Society’s case studies take a multidisciplinary approach to prevalent social issues within the UK. Multifaceted social issues researched by Understanding Society include poverty and health issues, discrimination and social mobility, parenting and educational attainment. Examples include:
What’s included in a case study?
Regardless of the type of case study you are writing, they generally follow the same structure:
The Introduction: The introduction provides an overview of the case study’s main focal points. As with any research paper, the case study’s introduction guides your reader through the scope and purposes of the study.
The Main Body: The bulk of your case study is made up of background information, evaluation, and proposed solutions.
Background: The background sets the scene for your reader, providing contextual information about your subject. This section demonstrates your knowledge of the issues associated with the subject which led to your study being necessary.
Methodology: The methodology section outlines the research approach you will apply within your study, including data collection methods and analysis techniques.
Proposed Solution/Changes: This section interprets the findings of your study and presents practical solutions for identified issues.
Outcomes of Applied Solutions/Changes: The outcomes section analyses the impact of proposed solutions for solving the study’s identified issues. This section often presents the outcomes of the proposed solution as successfully addressing a real-world issue.
The Conclusion: The conclusion of your case study identifies limitations and future research opportunities.
How to write a case study: Step By Step
Step 1: Research your Subject and Real-world Problem
Identifying your Subject: Before jumping into writing your case study, conduct preliminary research to identify who or what will be your subject. To identify your subject, draw inspiration from your academic or personal interests, current trends and research, and real-world problems. Remember the subject of your case study will be an individual, group, organisation, event or phenomenon. For example, a sociological case study will focus on a specific social group such as the LGBTQ+ community. As a marketing specialist, I have written case studies on projects I have completed for business clients. In this case, the subject of my case study was the business itself.
Identifying your Real-world Problem: After identifying the subject of your case study, you must identify problems or issues faced by your subject. While your subject may experience multiple real-world problems, it is important that your case study only addresses one. This ensures that your case study gives the appropriate attention to the identified issue. For example, a psychology case study focussed on Autistic adults will explore the prevalence of anxiety. In this example, the subject is specific to Autistic adults and anxiety is the real-world problem needing to be solved.
Step 2: Compile your Data:
Preliminary Research: Your preliminary research for your case study will highlight common themes or theories relevant to your subject and problem.
Narrowing Your Research Focus: Narrowing your research formulates a deeper understanding of your subject, current resolutions for its real-world problem, and outcomes. Narrowing your research queries will find gaps in the current literature, helping to establish the purpose of your case study.
Plan your Research: Creating a research plan will help you structure your research process. Research plan templates, available online, help you establish your methodology (this is needed later) and keep collated data organised.
Sources of Research: Case studies predominantly use qualitative research to compile data about subjects and real-world problems. Examples of qualitative research sources include interviews and questionnaires completed by your subject. Other research sources for case studies include observations made of your subject, primary and secondary documents, and physical artefacts. For example, products, brochures, and observations made during B2B/B2C marketing projects informed the business case studies I have written.
Step 3: Interpret Your Data
Establish Your Findings: Now your research is complete, and data compiled, you are equipped to make interpretations, find patterns, and draw conclusions. These findings will inform the solutions you suggest for your subject’s real-world problem.
Step 4: Writing Your Case Study
You’ve identified the subject, a real-world problem, and compiled all necessary research on these key elements of your case study. You are now ready to start writing the case study.
Introduction:
As with all essay plans, the story your case study tells starts with the introduction. The introduction briefly outlines the case, identifies its significance, states your aims, and presents the organisation of your case study.Main Body:
The main body of your case study is made up of background information about your subject and real-world problem. You will explain the methodology applied during the study, and propose solutions informed by the data collected. Finally, the main body will explain the outcomes of applying the solution to the real-world problem.Conclusion:
The conclusion restates the aims of your case study in solving the real-world problem faced by your subject. It summarises the main findings of your research and suggests the implications of your study for the wider field. The conclusion also reiterates the significance of your case study in expanding the field of knowledge. Finally, the conclusion recognises the limitations of your case study and highlights opportunities for further research.
Final Thoughts
After reading this comprehensive guide to writing a case study, you will know exactly what a case study is. The greatest advantage of case studies is their variety in style, tone, format, and application. You will know the research fields where case studies are used and what information is included. The flexibility in their format means any situation needing a resolution is suitable for this type of research method. Finally, you will be prepared to conduct the necessary research and write a high-value case study from start to finish.
Get In Touch:
I look forward to sharing more content as this blog progresses. If you have a topic or book to recommend, do not hesitate to contact me via email or social media:
Google Sites
Report abuse