What is a Case Study?
A case study is a research method that is incorporated within the field of social science. Case studies require a thorough evaluation that is predominantly aligned with the behavioral issues of a person or a small group of individuals.
A Case study will be developed to reveal a correlation between two factors; case studies are incorporated into a social phenomenon or a legal matter to reveal whether or not a causal relationship can be proven. For example, a common social case study may reveal that a large percentage of criminals tend to look at or purchase pornographic material. This information and subsequent conclusion would reveal that there is a direct correlation or at least an association between committing crimes and purchasing pornography. Although there is no scientific evidence that links observing pornography to committing crimes, case studies in this example, simply reveal a correlation between the two.
All case studies aim to elucidate on a social phenomenon that denotes the presence of a relationship between goods, individuals or other entities. Regardless of the subject matter or the type of relationship being investigated, all of the research methods must incorporate a formal case study format.
Case Study Format and How to Write a Case Study:
A case study may be used in an academic or professional setting as a thorough and unique research method. Although there are several types of case studies (exploratory, illustrative critical instance, medical, narrative and cumulative) there are a few basic guidelines on how to write a formal case study and how to formulate a case study format.
To conduct a case study using proper case study format, you must first construct a template that will act as your guideline throughout the evaluation and writing process. This case study format and the guideline attached will improve how the document is organized, as well as how the document looks, feels and reads.
Following the creation of a guideline, to properly follow case study format, you must draw your reader in with a unique and catchy title. The title of the case study should attract the reader and pull them into keep reading. When you begin writing the paper, you must first identify the problem that is being explored within the case study.
Exploring the problem, in alignment with a formal case study format, will incorporate your ability to include a suitable or effective case/effect theory. When doing this you must give as much background as possible. During this process you must discuss the possible solution and how the specific issue was specifically resolved—when you are explaining the resolution you must elucidate upon which methods were used in the process.
After you have resolved the issue, proper case study format requires you to describe the benefits of the study. Describe how the benefits affect the group to which your case study is aimed.
Proper case study format requires you to utilize general-to-specific-to-general approaches; this approach should be used because it grasps the reader’s attention and the reveals how it applies to the group as a whole.
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