# Case studies

**Source**: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/case-studies/
**Parent**: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/

This section will help you navigate your way through the process of reading, analysing and responding to a case study.

Case studies describe real-life situations and events over a period of time. They may centre on a person, group, project or organisation. A case study assessment task requires you to analyse actual or potential problems and identify solutions. For this, you need to consider:

- what is happening
- why it's happening
- how to solve the problem.

You will need to use **theories** to **develop solutions** to **practical situations**.

There are three broad stages involved in a case study assignment:

1. identify key issues and problems from the case
2. research then link the problems to relevant theory
3. develop solutions that lead to actionable recommendations.

## Structure

Case study analyses are generally presented in a report-style format. They are usually written for a professional audience (e.g. a client or manager) as well as your lecturer.

A case study should have:

- a logical structure
- sections with headings and subheadings.

> Check your assignment instructions carefully to see what structure you need to use. If you have any doubts, contact your course teaching staff.

A business case study is usually highly structured, as shown in the following example.\

**Title page**

**Table of contents**

**Executive summary**

1. **Introduction**
   1. Context (Background)
   2. Purpose
2. **Discussion**
   1. Identification of issues and problems
   2. Solutions
3. **Conclusion & Recommendations**

**Reference list**\

> See the [Reports](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/reports/) page for more information.

## Stages in the process

Generally speaking, there are three stages to writing a case study. They are:

### Analyse the task

- focus on task instructions/questions and marking criteria/rubrics
- read the case in detail
- identify key issues and problems.

Go to [Stage 1: Analyse the task](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/case-studies/stage-1-analyse-task/)

### Research and link to theory

- research the topic and surrounding areas
- link to theory - link problems to relevant theory, models or practice.

Go to [Stage 2: Research and link to theory](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/case-studies/stage-2-research-and-link-theory/)

### Developing solutions

- evaluate and prioritise for most effective solutions, consider constraints/obstacles
- make recommendations - All recommendations need to be practical and actionable
- edit/proofread
- submit.

Go to [Stage 3: Developing solutions](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/case-studies/stage-3-developing-solutions/)

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## Further resources

> [### Case Study reports for Nursing
>
> For Nursing students, the information on on the Case study report for Nursing page will help get you started. It focuses on the concept of a case study report and how it differs from an essay as well as how to keep your writing patient-centred.](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/nursing/case-study-report-nursing/)

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## Keywords

- [Assignments](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/keyword/assignments/)
- [Case studies](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/keyword/case-studies/)

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