A640.7.3.RB - How to Answer Case Study Questions

The general purpose of a case study is to describe an individual situation (case), e.g. a person, business, organization, or institution, in detail. Identify the key issues of the case (the assignment question should tell what to focus on). Analyze the case using relevant theoretical concepts from your ideas or discipline. And recommend a course of action for that case (particularly for problem-solving case studies). (Business, 2016)

In the article, “How to Answer Case Study Questions”, King (2017), give recommendations. And I use some of the techniques she suggest. The article outlines six basic steps consisting of: locating practice tests and completing them to become more familiar with the case study, relaxing the day of the test, reading and listening for the topic sentence in order to provide the best possible answer, focusing on the overall meaning of the case and scope of the issue, imagining and visualizing the problem and scenario, and slowing down (King). For the classroom, the first two aren’t idea. The remaining four are steps I utilize and engage myself to follow when I am writing my case studies. Or at least I try.

The outline of steps for me for completing case study questions:

A detailed reading of the case

Analyzing the case

Analyzing case data

Generating alternatives

Recommendations

What I have been trying to focus on and get better at is identifying the problem or problems in the situation presented in the scenario. Analyzing the key issues within the context of the study. Understanding what I am reading is a big factor for me. So, I try to read the case study a couple of times. Reading the case, carefully and with an eye for detail – more than once. Personality theorists tell us that some people are eager to get to the end of a story quickly. “Don’t bother me with details,” they say. “Just tell me what happened.” This is totally me.

References

Business, S. o. (2016). Case study purpose. Western Sydney University.

King, J. (2017, jULY 5). How to Answer Case Study Questions. Retrieved from Career Trends: https://careertrend.com/how-8342765-answer-case-study-questions.html