Case Study Analysis: Strategies for Professional Development

This document provides a comprehensive guide to case study analysis, outlining a step-by-step approach for students. It begins by emphasizing the importance of careful reading and understanding the case study and associated questions. The guide then details how to identify key issues within the scenario, encouraging students to consider the actions taken, their appropriateness, and any consequences. It stresses the significance of linking theory to practice by utilizing existing codes, theories, and professional documents. The guide also provides advice on planning the answer, structuring the assignment with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. It offers insights on writing effective introductions with a clear thesis statement and constructing well-organized body paragraphs with a single main point. The document concludes by highlighting the importance of editing, proofreading, and ensuring the assignment demonstrates professional understanding before submission. The overall goal is to equip students with the skills needed to effectively analyze case studies and provide well-supported solutions, ultimately enhancing their professional development.

CASE-STUDIES_20220325 Page 1 of 2
CASE STUDIES
© Student Learning Support Service, 2022
[e-mail] students.flinders.edu.au/slss
A case study is a scenario in a particular professional context which stu
expected to analyse and respond to, guided by specific question
concerning the situation. In many cases, the scenario or case study inv
number of issues or problems that must be dealt with in a professional
Case study assignments usually require students to identify problems
in a scenario, to demonstrate their developing knowledge of theo
professional policies and to make decisions and recommendations bas
to either prevent or solve some of the issues in that scenario.
There are several steps to writing an answer to a case study assignme
STEP 1: READ THE CASE STUDY AND QUESTIONS CAREF
• Read the case and associated questions carefully.
• Highlight the main points of the case and any issues that you can identify.
• Read the questions closely and analyse what they are requiring you to do.
• Read the case again, linking the information that is relevant to each question you
have been asked.
STEP 2: IDENTIFY THE ISSUES IN THE CASE STUDY
Case studies describe a situation which may arise in a particular profes
context. They often involve a number of people in a complex situation. They w
describe a situation which is problematic, possibly in how it is dealt with, or in
An important part of your answer is to analyse the situation and to ide
issues/actions described in the case which may be problematic.
The following questions may help you to do this:
• What actions were taken in the case?
• Were these actions the most appropriate and why?
• Were there any consequences of the actions taken?
• Was anything omitted or not considered?
• Were actions/procedures in line with existing
codes of practice, policy or theories?
STEP 3: LINK THEORY TO PRACTICE
Use your knowledge of existing codes of practice, theories and/or other professional
documents and behaviours to decide what was done appropriately and what was not.
e.g. If someone was interviewed in your case study, were proper interviewing techniques
used? Find theory on interviews in your professional context in your readings and make
links as to what was done well and what was not done well. This can be expanded upon in
your answer, with references to your readings.
STEP 4: PLAN YOUR ANSWER
It can be useful to use the questions you have been set as headings and to ans
part in turn, reducing the chance of omitting set questions. You can always tak
headings before you submit if you wish. Lecturers usually set questions in a log
so answer in the order they are written in your question

CASE-STUDIES_20220325 Page 2 of 2
CASE STUDIES
© Student Learning Support Service, 2022
[e-mail] students.flinders.edu.au/slss
STEP 5: START WRITING YOUR CASE STUDY ANSWER
Like any assignment, you will need an introduction, body sections in which you answer the
questions put to you regarding the case study, and a conclusion.
INTRODUCTION
Your introduction should always make clear to your reader what topic you are going to discu
will do so in your assignment. If you have taken the time to read your questions carefully, ha
reading and have planned your answers, you should have a clear idea about what you are a
Introductions move from general to more specific information to introduce your topic. The la
be a thesis statement, which tells the reader clearly what to expect.
Example thesis statement:
This paper examines the procedures that were followed when Tom, an elderly homeless man, wa
public hospital with chest pain and difficulty in breathing. It critically examines these procedures
the five dimensions of health and makes recommendations for improving medical admission proc
BODY PARAGRAPHS
This is where you begin to discuss the case study. Depending on how many questions you h
how much discussion is involved in answering each one, you must decide on the nu
required for each question. You may have, for example, four paragraphs addressing one que
one paragraph for another, depending on its complexity. There should be one main
paragraph. Including headings can help to make your answers clearer and often helps to avo
or rambling. Keep in mind your total word count for your assignment.
CONCLUSION
Your conclusion needs to draw together all of the main points you have made in the body of
without adding anything that has not been discussed in the body. Spend time on it as it is th
your assignment that your tutor will read before grading you. It should make them think: ‘Ye
have been addressed and answered fully.’
STEP 6: EDIT AND PROOFREAD
As with all assignments, use the spell-checking tool on your computer and the
your paper yourself to detect and correct other errors and omissions. Check y
answered all questions and backed up your answer with relevant literature. Ch
you have followed your tutor’s instructions, that you have acknowledged all so
information correctly and that all references are in your reference list.
STEP 7: SUBMIT
Does your paper demonstrate that if you were a professional working in this
particular situation, you would know what policies and procedures should be
followed, or what actions to take to deal professionally with the situation? If so, it is
ready to submit.
SEE THE GUIDES ON INTRODUCTIONS, PARAGRAPHS AND CONCLUSIONS FOR MOR