Case studies are an incredibly useful way to apply theories and knowledge to real cases that happen around the world. After all, isn’t the reason for which we spend so much time and effort studying to eventually use them in real life? Universities and even high school often ask students to write case studies as part of their assignments. For someone that has never done this before, it can be quite difficult to wrap their heads around how to do it or what the best ways to approach it are. For students studying a degree or subject around IT or computer science, this post will give them all the necessary tools on how to become a master in writing an information technology case study.
What Are Case Studies For?
In the case of Information Technologies, a case study would serve best to convert its reader into a consumer. They are perfect for showing how your product or your knowledge as an information technology expert can help an existing consumer problem. It is a chance to prove yourself to others that you are proficient and capable to solve any issue that is presented upon you.
As a student, when writing a case study, you are expected to analyze the company or campaign’s strategy towards solving an issue and implemented actions upon it. Then, you should be able to determine whether this was a success or a failure and give an explanation for it.
Before Writing
Before you start writing your piece it is very important for you to examine and fully grasp the case study. Prepare for your writing by identifying two to four problems with the case. Any more and your essay will look too messy and unorganized. Keeping it brief and focused will make it easier to read and understand for others.
Gather information from other sources like journals, blog posts or news reports about the company or product you are writing about. This will help you get a larger and richer idea of what you’re dealing with and from what perspective to tackle your report.
Structure
Establishing a well-defined structure for your case study is essential to produce a quality piece of writing. In the main body, you must include various sections.
In this first stage, you will briefly summarize what the case study is about. Be careful not to make this section too long, as a case study is not only composed of a summary. Introduce the subject in your writing. Ask yourself who this is about and provide some context and background to it as a whole. Then, describe the problem that was encountered. Remember to state what the trouble was with specifics, how they came upon it, and any methods that were used to fix it beforehand but were unsuccessful to solve the problem.
The final section consists of the solution. Here, you must include a strong argument explaining what the most effective resolution to the problem was. Remember that this is a proposed solution (most assignments do not require you to actively fix the problem; just assign the best solution for it). To make your argument as valid as possible, back up your ideas with solid and trustworthy evidence. For proof, you can use all sorts of material. For example, previous academic research, interviews, and theories. Remember to include some of the concepts that were shown to you in class. Not only will looking back at your notes will help you enormously in finding a place to start your analysis, but it is a smart way to demonstrate that you have paid attention in class.
Try your best to describe it in detail, but also keeping in mind that the reader may not necessarily have a background in information technology. This means that you must write in a language that is clear and easy for others to understand. To make your study accessible to all readers, a good strategy is to tell a story. Avoid sounding too serious or elaborate. Instead be creative and narrate the reader throughout your work. For clarity, you may want to use images and diagrams for visual representation. This will serve as a break for the readers, and saving you many hours of trying to simplify a complicated concept when you can just summarize it in a single diagram or picture. Include numbers, data and graphs to better represent your arguments as well. In some cases, you may be allowed to include video clips that explain a concept or a situation or simply as an additional form of evidence. As a result, including video will increase the chances of your paper being effective.
Proofreading
This final stage in your case study is very often overlooked by many students. When you have finished writing, always remember to read through it over and over again. By doing this, you’ll be able to identify whether there are any missing arguments, gaps or inconsistencies in your work. If you want to take it a step further, ask your peers or a professional to look over it for mistakes.
This post has mentioned many things that you can do to become a master at writing an Information Technology case study. If you follow these tips, there is no question that you will succeed and create a high-quality paper like a professional case study writer with advanced skills.