Many students grapple with the challenges of writing case studies. The process can be gruelling at various points. It may involve data analysis, case study paper format, paper structure, referencing, etc. Researchers are worried about the research method, but the writing process troubles them even more, perhaps due to their lack of expertise in academic writing.
A report given by Babson Thought and Action on 12 December 2023 says that the case study centre at Babson College has received 16 new cases from researchers, and 570 case studies have been presented, of which 19 are prize-winning.
So, the number of researches demand students to write effectively so that it can accepted by the journal for publication. Formatting is crucial to a case study paper. For this purpose, choose a case study paper format that allows you to weave an engaging narrative. This way, you can make your informative paper compelling for the reader.
However, for the students who worked hard for experimentation and now don’t want to take the risk of making any writing flaw by executing it on their own, acquiring case study help online may benefit them. These professionals craft an error-free document that conforms to academic or professional standards.
In this guide, we will highlight the crucial components that can help you to formulate your paper perfectly. Keep reading!
What Is the Format of a Case Study?
Generally speaking, the format of a case study paper is similar to an essay or a report format. It should contain 4 sections that include,
- Introduction paragraph
- Background information
- Conclusion
- Referencing
There are some additional components of the format for a case study paper that we will discuss below.
7 Main Components of Case Study Paper Format
Are you in need of writing a compelling case study? Are you looking what is the structure of a case study? If you feel so, know the essential parts of case study paper writing format. In the end, the better it looks, the better it can engage the reader.
1. Write the Title
We are well aware of the importance of writing a compelling headline (Title) in case study paper format. Remember that you are writing a case study so the reader must know it. If you make the title vague or non-specific, the paper may fail to attract the reader’s attention. That is why include the phrase “case study”, and “case report”, in your main heading. However, it should not exceed 5 to 9 words.
2. Summary Of the Paper
Consider it like a short recap of your whole study in case study paper format. It must be clear, short, straightforward and flow naturally. After reading the summary, the reader will decide whether the paper is worthy to study thoroughly or not. So, make your first impression as good you can.
3. Give Background Information
The background information is included in the introduction section of the case study paper format. You need to explain why this case study is worthy of publication and explain the main focus of the study. You can use phrases like, “The Merits of this study can be studied in relation to the previously available explanations of….”
4. Case Evaluation
UAGC has explained how to evaluate your case study well.
- Make a list of various aspects of the case study that you focused on.
- Discuss which expectation from the study was fulfilled and where you had to take note of another sort.
- Discuss why some parts of the case study are not working well.
5. Propose Possible Solutions
In a case study paper format, the solutions must be realistic. You need to explain why you need that specific solution to resolve the issues. Furthermore, it proves practically how certain solutions are workable and certainly did not give the expected results.
6. Conclude The Study
To conclude your case study, restate the purpose of your work, and after that sum up the main points of discussion, recommendations and solutions. You don’t need to give explanations as they have already been presented above. Also, include the call to action. Furthermore, restate the limitations of the study if there are any.
7. Write References
Just like a thesis write-up, in case study paper format, the referencing pattern is followed by the journal in which your paper will be published. Go through the given guidelines or see the already published papers in the journal to get an idea of citations. A referencing format according to the Journalism studies can be given as,
Lewis, Justin, Williams, Andrew and Franklin, Bob. 2008. “Four Rumours and an Explanation: a political economic account of journalists’ changing newsgathering and reporting practices”. Journalism Practice, 2 (1): 27 – 45.
If your work schedule is too busy to allow time for formatting, seek the assistance of an academic writer from a reliable case study writing service. Focus on conducting experiments while these professionals handle the writing process, ensuring high-quality content.
What Are The 4 Types of Case Study?
The 4 main types of case study include,
- Exploratory case studies provide specific details of the topic in the context of real life.
- Collective case studies involve the investigation of people, having numerous variables, and the results can never be predicted.
- Intrinsic case studies focus on inquiring about a specific stance with its various possibilities.
- Explanatory case studies are not difficult to interpret. However, it is best to be conducted if there are not many variables involved.
What Are The 6 Parts of Case Study?
As we have discussed above, each section of the case paper is equally important. You can’t skip any of these in the case study paper format. However, depending on the journal guidelines, simple case study paper format may vary. Furthermore, no matter which journal guidelines you are following, the following 6 parts of the study must be included in your paper.
- Title
- Overview
- Problem
- Solution
- Conclusion
- Referencing
Case Study Paper Format Examples
The International Society of Six Sigma Professionals provides an example of the case study formats. The paper was written by Jeanenne LaMarsh under the title “Managing Change in the Supply Chain: A Case Study”. By exploring the various case study samples, you can acquire valuable knowledge to craft your paper. Find below the introductory part,
Conclusion
The case study paper format should be followed up strictly if you want to present your paper exceptionally. So many students get rejected for their papers to be published just because they are making some structural flaws in them. That’s why we have presented the step-by-step guide of case study format for students so that you can format it efficiently.
Follow the basic structure, including title, summary, background information, case evaluation, solutions, conclusion and referencing. However, if there is still any confusion, you can ask your supervisor to guide you. Furthermore, an evaluation of previously published articles will give you a better idea of formatting. Make your document presentation as good as you can. This is what seems appealing to the reader.