How to Write a Case Study in Research? (with Examples) 

A case study is a powerful tool in research and education, offering deep insights into complex phenomena through the lens of a single subject or group. Case studies zoom in to the details of a specific situation, examining context, history, and behavior to reveal certain patterns and highlight practical applications of theories.  

A case study in research can be used when: 

• atypical or abnormal behavior or development is observed, 
• an unexplained outcome to treatment is found, or 
• an emerging disease or condition occurs. 

Thus, case studies enable researchers and practitioners to analyze specific instances, identify trends, and obtain learnings that can inform broader decision-making and problem-solving. In this post, you will learn all about case studies, including how to conduct a case study, limitations and benefits of a case study, and case study methods. 

What is a Case Study?  

Case study definition: A case study is an in-depth or intensive study of a person, group, or event. Case studies involve deep analyses of an individual or group to identify patterns and are used across fields such as psychology and medicine to draw broad conclusions. They are descriptive studies based on qualitative data such as observations, interviews, questionnaires, clinical notes. 

Here are some historically significant case study examples: 

The curious case of Phineas Gage: This is arguably the most cited case study in psychology, which sheds light on how different areas of the brain affect personality and cognition. While working as a construction foreman on a railroad, Phineas Gage was involved in an accident in which a rod impaled his brain. Gage survived the physical trauma, but his personality and his ability to learn new skills were altered. This case report was crucial to research on brain function, memory, and personality. 

Anna O and the talking cure: Anna O (pseudonym) was a German woman who was one of the first patients to undergo psychoanalysis. Her case inspired many of the theories of Freud and other prominent psychologists of the time to mitigate the symptoms of depression through “talk therapy.” This case study is still cited as a reason psychologists believe that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be helpful to many patients. 

When to Do a Case Study? 

The case study design may be chosen by a researcher in the following situations: 

Need for deep understanding: When you require detailed insights about a specific situation, and you want to understand complex relationships and processes. 

Resource constraints: When you have limited time and finances available for research and/or limited access to large sample sizes. 

Research context: Certain real-world phenomena need to be studied in their natural context, especially when you cannot control variables. 

Accordingly, the types of research questions best suited for a case study are exploratory (e.g., when investigating a new or poorly understood phenomenon, emerging conditions, adverse reactions to treatments, new methods of treatment) or involve unique situations (e.g., rare or exceptional cases, atypical behavior, breakthrough events). See Table 1 for developing a case study from a research question. 

The case study design might be for a single case study, such as for unique cases or when studying a representative or typical case, or multiple case studies (a case series, comparative analysis, or to identify patterns across different contexts). Note that a case study is not recommended if you require statistical generalization or broad population-level insights. 

By carefully considering the abovementioned factors, researchers can determine if a case study approach aligns with their research goals and available resources. 

How Long Should a Case Study Be? 

Case studies are structured very differently from research articles (see “How to write a case study in Research” below and the case study template in Figure 1). However, as a general guideline, note that case studies might range from 500 to 1,500 words. The word count would depend on factors such as the target journal’s specifications, case type, and study discipline. Case reports also have a limit on the number of references to be cited. Remember, you must always check the target journal for word and reference limits before submission. 

How to Write a Case Study in Research 

Let’s delve into how to conduct a case study and write one. First, you need to understand how to create a case study.

Before writing

1. On the basis of your research problem and research question, select the case that you want to study. 
2. Perform an in-depth literature review to develop a relevant theoretical framework, wherein you aim to demonstrate, expand upon, or challenge an existing theory in your field. 
3. Collect the data, which will typically be qualitative in nature. Data collection, therefore, will be collected by direct observations, interviews, or analysis of primary and secondary sources of information. Be as thorough as you can at this step.
4. Analyze the case, highlighting key facts and problems, identify key problems and their causes and impacts, and explore potential solutions.

Drafting and writing your case study

The structure of the case report may vary—some follow the format of scientific papers, while others adopt a narrative style for a deeper exploration. 

1. State the key problem and present a concise thesis under an “Introduction” or “Background” section. Provide background, facts, and evidence of research.
2. Describe the specific case, group, or event.
3. 3. Provide specific solutions, suggest strategies for implementing the solution and, if needed, additional
4. Discuss the case, including the strengths and limitations of the study. Summarize the outcome of your analysis and highlight specific strategies for implementing the proposed solution. 

When describing and analyzing a case, be sure to include contextual details, link findings to existing literature and theory, and discuss broader implications. For medical case reports, follow the CARE guidelines (EQUATOR) to ensure completeness and transparency. Please also refer to the CARE Checklist of information to include when writing a case report. Finally, check the target journal requirements for word count and formatting guidelines. See Figure 1 for a case study template. 

Figure 1. Case study template

Table 1. From research question to case study: Some fictional examples 

Real case study examples (published): 

• Baker et al. (2024) Enhanced family-based treatment for an adolescent with binge-eating disorder: A case report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 31(2), 272–282. 
• da Silva et al. (2024) Impacts of oil palm monocultures on freshwater ecosystems in the Amazon: a case study of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata). Aquatic Science 87, 1.  
• Sakamoto et al. (2024) Online gaming reduces psychological distress in a patient with schizophrenia: A case report. PCN Reports. 3(3), e70015. 

What Are the Benefits of a Case Study? 

On the topic of the case study, a quote by Ivy Mckenzie comes to mind: “The physician is concerned [unlike the naturalist]…with a single organism, the human subject, striving to preserve its identity in adverse circumstances.”  

A physician’s meticulous documentation of an unusual or rare condition might not only help the patient but also revolutionize current understanding of the disorder and lead to a revision of treatment protocols. In fact, clinicians and psychologists are often encouraged to publish more case studies documenting the methods they use. 

Let’s look at some more benefits of a case study:  

• They can be published quickly. 

• They are suitable under situations of time and budget crunches. 

• They are appropriate to study phenomena in their natural context 

• They allow detailed investigation into situations that would otherwise be impractical to perform using another study design. 

• They are sometimes used in therapy to guide the best course of treatment.  

What Are the Limitations of a Case Study? 

Case studies provide critical information and galvanize further research; however, there are some caveats. The following are the limitations of a case study: 

• A case study is not definitive proof of a theory and cannot demonstrate cause and effect. 

• Case studies with insufficient or incorrect information or based on a flawed premise can harm future research. 

• Ethical issues may arise if the reported patients have not provided consent for publication of their case or are not treated with dignity and respect. 

• If a patient declines to provide consent, the case report cannot be written or published. 

• A case study cannot necessarily be generalized to the larger population. 

• A case study might be impossible or difficult to replicate. 

• Case reports can lead to bias. 

Key Takeaways 

• A case study in research is an in-depth or intensive study of a person, group, or event using qualitative data. It is used to examine complex phenomena through detailed analysis of specific instances. Case studies are particularly valuable in psychology, medicine, and other fields for drawing broader conclusions 

• Case study methods involve data collection through direct observations, interviews, and analyses of primary and secondary sources. 

• Case reports are typically 500–1,500 words long. You may develop single case studies (for unique cases) or multiple case studies (case series, for comparative analysis). Where applicable, be sure to follow specific guidelines (e.g., CARE guidelines for medical cases). 

• A case study design is best used when deep understanding is needed, time and resources are limited, and the natural context must be preserved. It is suited to studying exploratory research questions, unique situations, emerging conditions, and atypical behavior. 

• Writing case studies involves the following steps: 

1. Pre-writing phase:

   – Select appropriate case based on research problem 

  – Conduct literature review 

   – Collect thorough qualitative data 

   – Analyze case to identify key problems 

2. Writing phase:

  – State key problem and thesis in introduction 

   – Describe specific case/event 

   – Provide solutions and implementation strategies 

  – Discuss strengths and limitations 

   – Link findings to existing literature 

• The advantages of case studies are that they permit quick writing and publication, are cost-effective, are suitable for natural context study, and are extremely valuable for rare or unusual cases. The limitations of case studies, however, are that they cannot prove cause and effect, may not be generalizable, are difficult to replicate, are prone to bias, and require patient consent in medical cases. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

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