Developing an Outline of Your Case Study

Case studies are articles or papers that analyze a study. A study can fall into the umbrella of politics, soft science, hard science, literature, events, people, and sometimes specific decisions. The item being studied is considered the case, and has is elaborated in detail. The items that are discussed for the case are: title, abstract, introduction, hypothesis, methodology, results, analysis, conclusions, references, acknowledgments, sometimes an appendix.

The abstract is a short summary of 1-3 paragraphs that describes the simple details of the study. Questions to answer in the abstract should include a short sun up of the case, hypothesis, and highlights.

The introduction is similar to a prologue of a fictional book or the background of a nonfiction book. This part of the case study should be where your reader is enticed to continue reading the rest of your study. Your intent or reasoning to why you chose this case, what you wanted to learn about the case, what was researched for the case study.

Your hypothesis should be presented clearly to help lead your readers to understanding the basics of your investigation and the development you made through researching and reading your sources.

The methodology’s portion of the outline is easy to manage when numbered to represent each step done through your case study. It should be done with a great amount of detail so that any other person could repeat your case study and conclude with the same results.

Results should be outlined precisely and with clarity. There should not be any “fluff” or necessary information in this section. Instead of a summary where details would be skimmed or simplified, this portion should be detailed but straight to the point.

The analysis outline is an explanation of all your methodology and results. Here is where you are allowed to give your opinion with the results defending it.

The remaining sections of your case study should be outlined with small details to remind you and lead you to writing the entire case study. After reviewing your outline, use the tool as a way to successfully write your case study.

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