case studies

1. Writing A
Case Study
Rhian Wyn-Williams
Skills@ljmu.ac.uk

2. What is a case study? Why do you write them?
• In pairs, discuss the following
questions
• What is a case study?
• How is it different to other
assignments you may
complete?
• How is it similar to other
assignments you may
complete?
• What is it for?

3. What is a case study? Why do you write them?
It may be more helpful to break this down.
A case is a real life situation or event.
A case study is an analysis of that situation or
event, using ideas, theories and approaches you
have learnt about on your course.
The purpose of a Case Study is to develop
and demonstrate an understanding of a
real-life case, and make a decision about it.
This decision is made using the content you
have been learning about on your course.
The key is to show that you can apply your
theoretical learning to real-world problems.

4. Business Nursing Travel and
Tourism
Education Engineering
A company
A key figure
within a
company
A person
patient
A critical
incident
An event
Period of time
A company
A group of
pupils
An individual
student
A place
A person
An engineering
problem
Journal articles
Books
Government
Reports
Codes of
practice
Standards
Journal articles
Books
Government
Reports
Codes of
practice
Standards
Journal articles
Books
Government
Reports
Codes of
practice
Standards
Journal articles
Books
Government
Reports
Codes of
practice
Standards
Journal articles
Books
Government
Reports
Codes of
practice
Standards
Subject
Focus of
the case
Outcome
Report Essay Presentation
Analysis
using
course
materials

5. Read the case study and assignment instructions carefully.
What are you being asked to do?
Highlight and explain the problems?
Provide solutions?
Both?
What format does your answer need to be presented in:
an essay, report or presentation?
• Highlight key/descriptive
information
• Think about the theories and
concepts you have covered in the
module/on your course which link
to the case
• Note down the theories etc. you
need to research to begin to write
your answer
• Look at your reading list
• Create a broad plan/mind map/grid
based on your initial thoughts
First Steps

6. • What are the key facts/issues?
Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?
• What are the underlying problems?
• How have these issues and facts resulted in the current
situation?
• How do they link to the theories and concepts I have learnt
about?
• What are the possible solutions?
What are their strengths and limitations?
Which solutions fit best? Why?
• How can the solution be implemented?
What is the recommended plan of action?
How can these recommendation be monitored for success?
Next, start to analyse the case, moving between it and your course information

7. Who/What Where/When What has
happened? What
needs to be
analysed?
Reasons/Cause Theories/Models
Legislation
Possible
Solutions/
Predictions
Business
Easy Jet
UK company -2019 Competitive
Advantage
Compare to other
low cost airlines.
Swot
Porter’s Five
Forces
PEST
Good competitive
advantage
Some threat from
Ryan Air in terms
of cost
Social Work
Patient A
UK Liverpool Royal
patient. 87 yrs.
old.
Review options for
patient A in terms
of housing
options.
Admitted with
broken hip.
Previously living
on her own. Can
no longer cope.
Housing Act
(2004)
Care Act (2014)
Sheltered Housing
Carers
Family Support
Pharmacy
Patient B
Attending
pharmacy-
describing
behaviour
Exhibiting signs of
bipolar disorder?
What medication
needs to be
prescribed.
Periods of intense
activity followed
by depression.
Mind (2015) Recommended
drugs and
therapies
Constructing a grid can help you pull out key points from the case, and start to build up a picture of how to analyse it.

8. Who/What Where/When What has
happened? What
needs to be
analysed?
Reasons/Cause Theories/Models
Legislation
Possible
Solutions/
Predictions
Constructing a grid can help you pull out key points from the case and start to build up a picture of how to analyse it.
Your assignment.
Look at the case study you have.
Using the grid can you start to break down the
case?
The initial analysis will then direct you to further
research and help you think about the structure.

9. Notice how these phrases are used to explore the case and show that a number
of possible causes and effects can be relevant. Think about what a case study
should do.
may cause
can lead to
can result in
caused by
resulting from
One reason why Xs have declined is that …
A consequence of vitamin A deficiency is….
The causal role of X in Y has been demonstrated by …
The most likely causes of X are poor diet and lack of exercise.
The causes of X have been the subject of intense debate within …
X can have profound health consequences for older people
Language for case studies

10. Structure
Essay
• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs
• Key topics – One key topic
covered in each paragraph.
• Conclusion
• References
Report – Use Your Assignment Guidance
• Abstract/Summary
• Introduction
• Findings
• Discussion
• Conclusion/Recommendations
• References

11. Look at the introduction to a case study
answer on your handouts.
In pairs, discuss what the student is
doing to make this a good introduction.
Introductions

12. Background information. Explaining the
reason for investigating the topic.
Moving from general to specific. Providing
definition of key terms.
Link between the general issue and the
specific case.
Outline of the case.
Signalling the structure and areas of
analysis.
The impact of sleep on a pilot’s performance has attracted the interest
of both aviation authorities and researchers for some time. One specific
factor, sleep inertia which is the physiological state that immediately
follows awakening has been found to impair mental and manual
operations. Sleep inertia has been linked to a number of aviation
incidents involving pilot error. This case study will analyse the role sleep
inertia may have played in the crash of Air India Express Flight IX-812 at
Mangalore in India on May 22nd 2010. The report of the subsequent
Court of Inquiry along with literature relating to sleep inertia will form
the basis of the analysis. First, research findings about sleep inertia
generally, and sleep inertia in aviation specifically, will be examined. An
account of this particular incident and the major findings of the Court of
Inquiry will then be provided. Next a discussion of the impact of sleep
inertia played in this incident and the lessons that can be learnt from
this will be presented. Finally, recommendations for how such incidents
can be avoided in the future are made.
Introductions

13. Introduction – Move from general to specific.
The use of prepositions in English has always been problematic for
language learners. These small connecting words do not necessarily
exist in other languages, or may not have exactly the same meanings.
This makes teaching of this area very difficult, and research
(Lindstromberg 1998, Brala 2002) indicates that no single method has
yet proved successful. The essay which follows gives a brief history of
prepositional theory and discusses two major teaching strategies from a
cognitive linguistic perspective.
Critically evaluate approaches to
the teaching of prepositions to
language learners.
Focus on the question.
Moving to more
specific analysis of
the issues.
Addressing the
question directly and
highlighting line of
argument.
Signalling the
structure of
the rest of
the essay.
Here’s another one to look at

14. • In your groups, review the body
paragraph from the case study essay
on pilots.
• What is the student doing?
Body paragraphs

15. Topic Sentence
Linking Words
References –
linking the
case analysis
with theories
and research
Applying the
literature to
the case- not
simply
describing.
Reporting
Verb

16. Use WEED to help you plan and write critically analytical
paragraphs.
What is your paragraph about? This will be your topic sentence.
Explanation: what do you mean? Offer some evidence and
explanation.
Examples: make sure that you illustrate your point with examples from
literature, policy or practice. Start synthesising the literature.
Do: What do I do with this information? How is it relevant? Keep
thinking ‘How?’, ‘Why’ and ‘So what?’
Go back to the body paragraph you have worked on. Can you see
where the WEED is?

17. Look at the sample conclusion.
Can you identify:
• Where the student has restated the focus
of the assignment.
• Has summarised the main points or
findings.
• Has demonstrated a link to the
recommendations.
Conclusions

18. This case study examined the role sleep inertia may have played in
the crash of Air India Express Flight IX-812 at Mangalore in India
on May 22nd 2010. Studies of human factors in aviation have
shown that a variety of factors influence the severity and duration
of sleep inertia. These factors include depth of sleep, timing of
sleep and chemical influences. If a crew member is awakened
from a deep sleep, then it is likely their reaction time performance
will be adversely affected. This appeared to be the case for Air
India Express Flight IX-812 where the Captain was in a long sleep
during the flight. As a result, upon awakening, the Captain’s
judgment appeared to have been impaired, resulting in a series of
poor decisions. This case highlights the need for an effective
Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) and a Crew Resource
Management (CRM) system, along with focused training to ensure
crew are fully aware of the impact of sleep inertia on
performance, particularly decision making.
Restates
the focus
Sum up the
main points
or findings
Link to
recommendations
Specific
focus –
conclusions
based on
the analysis
Conclusions

19. Conclusion – Moving from specific to general
In conclusion, it is apparent that the most effective element in teaching of
English articles is the reinforcement of the notion of countability.
The evidence presented here suggests that learners do not use articles
randomly, but that they choose articles according to whether or not the
noun is countable.
The concept of definiteness in relation to articles remains, however,
more problematic, and needs further investigation.
Despite these problems, it is possible for teachers to make a positive
contribution to learners’ knowledge in this important area.
Signalling the end of the
essay. Addressing the
question and the line of
argument.
Critically evaluate approaches to
the teaching of prepositions to
language learners.
Summary of the
points raised in the
essay.
Suggestion for
further research,
based on analysis of
the research.
Ultimate statement –
must link to the
evidence and
conclusions presented
in the main body.
Here’s another one to look at

20. Recommendations
The Recommendations are actions to be implemented as a result of the conclusions.
Conclusion = Patient has an ulcer
Recommendation = Patient to take medicine + stop smoking
• A report prepared for information purposes only will have no Recommendations section
• A report prepared for persuasion purposes will have a Recommendations section - no point in
persuading someone of the need for action if no recommendations are given
• In an essay answer the recommendations may be included in the conclusion
• Recommendations should not include further results, analysis, discussion or conclusions
• The Recommendations section should be simple action list.
Eg: Do action X, build factory Y, delete product Z.

21. Recommendations
Based on the main findings of this case study, it is
recommended that:
CRM training and refreshers for all flight crew should be
conducted as required by DGCA vide Operations Circular
No 2 of 2001
CRM training must include both classroom and simulator
training
- Relate back to the issues discussed in the Conclusion.
- Are stated briefly but clearly
- Are expressed as action statements or directives to do
something
- Use persuasive or firm language such as ‘must’, ‘ought to’ etc.

22. Reflection…
What three main things will you now remember to do next time you are
writing a case study assignment?