<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Case Study Analysis Paper<\/p>\n
Prepare a 1,400 to 1,750-word case study analysis paper
\nbased on the University of Phoenix
\nMaterial, <\/i>\u201cCase Study for Student Analysis,\u201d located in Week Two of the
\nCOMM\/215 \u00a0page. <\/p>\n
Below is a detailed description explaining how to
\nprepare a case study analysis paper. <\/p>\n
_____________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n
Typically written in narrative form, a case sets forth,
\nin a factual manner, the events and organizational circumstances surrounding a
\nparticular managerial situation. Placing the reader at the scene of the action,
\nthe real events presented provide an opportunity to help evaluate alternative
\ncourses of action.<\/p>\n
Case analysis is used in academics to help you
\ndemonstrate your ability to evaluate situations critically, to apply concepts
\nyou have learned in a class, to solve problems, and to communicate your
\nfindings and conclusions. The purpose of this exercise is to introduce you to
\ncase studies and the analysis process, and to a proper format for writing the
\ncase study analysis report.<\/p>\n
Try not to worry about trying to find the “right
\nanswer” to a case. Usually, there is no single right answer. Most cases
\nare intentionally ambiguous and can be viewed from many different perspectives.
\nSeveral feasible solutions are usually available to any give case. The best
\nsolution is the one you can best support with thoughtful analysis, logical
\narguments, and substantiating evidence from your research or your own
\nexperience. Your goal in analyzing a case is to provide an effective solution
\nto the situation outlined and to support that solution with solid and
\npersuasive evidence.<\/p>\n
Overview<\/p>\n
Analyzing a case study can take several forms, and you
\nshould check with your instructor on the specific approach or point of view
\nthat he or she recommends. For example, you might analyze the case from the
\nperspective that you are the central character of the narrative and must
\nprovide a report of what you would do in the situation. On the other hand, you
\nmight play the role of an outside consultant hired to evaluate the situation
\nfor which you provide a report.<\/p>\n
Make sure you allow enough time for the various tasks
\nyou must perform. These tasks are listed below and explained in more detail in
\nthe following sections.<\/p>\n
(Note: When writing a case analysis as an exercise in a
\nwriting class, there will be no content-related course concepts (e.g.,
\nmanagement or health care theories) that apply directly to the case. The
\nobjective of the assignment will be to produce a well-written analysis. You
\nshould check with your instructor to determine the expectations of content and
\nthe amount of research required.<\/p>\n
Analyzing the Case<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0
\nRead and study the case thoroughly.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0
\nDefine the problem(s).<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0
\nSelect a focus for your analysis by identifying
\nkey issues and their causes.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0
\nIdentify and apply course concepts in order to
\nidentify possible solutions.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0
\nEvaluate alternative solutions and choose the
\nsolution you believe is best.<\/p>\n
Writing the Case Analysis<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0
\nDetermine how you want to present your views and
\nstructure your paper.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0
\nProduce a first draft of your case analysis.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0
\nRevise and edit the draft.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0
\nFormat and proofread the final report.<\/p>\n
Analyzing the Case<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0
\nRead and study the case thoroughly.<\/p>\n
Read the case once for familiarity with the overall
\nsituation, background, and characters involved, noting issues that you think
\nmay be important. Read the case again, and highlight all relevant facts. Make
\nsure you understand the situation and have all the facts. Make notes about
\nissues, symptoms of problems, root problems, unresolved issues, and the roles
\nof key players. Watch for indications of issues beneath the surface.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0
\nDefine the problem(s).<\/p>\n
Identify the key problems or issues in the case. Case
\nstudies often contain an overabundance of information about a particular
\nsituation, not all of which may be relevant. Do not try to analyze every fact
\nand issue. Part of the skill of good case analysis is in determining which
\nfacts are relevant. <\/p>\n
3.\u00a0
\nSelect a focus for your analysis by identifying
\nthe key issues and their causes.<\/p>\n
Determine how to focus your analysis. Narrow the
\nproblem(s) you have identified to between two and five key issues. Do not try
\nto examine every possible aspect of the case. Identify the most important
\nissues that relate to the concepts you have been studying in the course (if
\napplicable).<\/p>\n
Once you have focused on one or two key issues, try to
\ngain a fuller understanding of their causes. Why do these problem(s) exist?
\nWhat caused them? What is the effect of the problem(s) on the organization or
\nthe relationships among individuals in the organization? Who is responsible for
\nor affected by the problem(s)?<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0
\nIdentify and apply course concepts in order to
\nidentify possible solutions. (See previous note regarding writing a case
\nanalysis as an exercise in a writing class.) This section is included so that
\nyou become familiar with the application of case studies in context of applying
\ncontent-related course concepts.)<\/p>\n
a.\u00a0
\nIdentify and apply one or more concepts
\ndiscussed in class, covered in your readings, or learned from your own
\nexperience that would apply to the case and provide some insight or guidance in
\nsolving the problem(s). <\/p>\n
b.\u00a0
\nReview your notes from class discussions and
\nyour texts and other readings in the course, conduct outside research, and use
\nyour own knowledge and experience to decide what concepts, theories, or ideas
\ncould be relevant.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0
\nEvaluate alternative solutions and choose the
\nsolution you believe best reflects the findings from your analysis.<\/p>\n
Make certain you can support the solution you choose
\nwith solid evidence from your case analysis. Weigh the pros and cons of each
\nalternative. Which solution is the most feasible? Make certain you can defend
\nthat solution.<\/p>\n
Now you are ready to proceed to the next step\u2014determining
\nhow to present your ideas and structure your paper.<\/p>\n
Writing the Case Analysis<\/p>\n
Written case analyses are short, structured reports.
\nUsually, the instructor will ask for between two and ten typed pages, depending
\nupon the complexity of the case. Some case studies are assigned as individual
\nefforts; others are group projects. Still others may be a partial group effort,
\nwith the group collaborating in the analysis and each individual student being
\nasked to prepare a separate written analysis.<\/p>\n
Your task, in writing your case analysis, is to combine
\naspects of the case and key issues with your perceptions and supported
\nopinions. You must then examine alternatives, choose the most viable solution,
\nand provide evidence to support your views. You obtain this evidence from class
\ndiscussions, your text readings, outside research, and your personal
\nexperiences.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0
\nDetermine how you want to present your views and
\nstructure your paper.<\/p>\n
Most case studies follow a prescribed format and
\nstructure and can vary depending upon the course in which it is used, such as
\nthose discussed next. Check with your instructor regarding his or her
\npreference as to the sections of the case study analysis report. Case study
\nanalyses are written as reports with headings, not as essays. The report should
\nclearly identify the relevant sections for the reader.<\/p>\n
a.\u00a0
\nTitle page<\/p>\n
Use standard APA format to develop a title page.<\/p>\n
b.\u00a0
\nIntroduction<\/p>\n
Determine a thesis. Summarize, in one sentence, the
\nprincipal outcome of your analysis. This is the thesis for your report and
\nshould be clearly stated in the first few paragraphs. The introduction
\nidentifies the central problem.<\/p>\n
c.\u00a0
\nBackground<\/p>\n
Take the central problem, and place it in a context for
\nthe reader providing background information about the case. Do not reiterate or
\nrehash the facts stated in the case. Rather, place the case in a research
\ncontext. The background section demonstrates to the reader that you have
\nconducted research, either academically or in the field, regarding the types of
\nproblems that the case study describes. Be sure that your written presentation
\nfocuses your diagnosis of the problems on the most important issues.<\/p>\n
d.\u00a0
\nKey Problems<\/p>\n
This is where you identify your thoughts about the
\nproblems that exist. It is considered a very important part of the report.
\nStart with the \u201cwho-when-where-what-why-how\u201d typical questions (Gerson &
\nGerson, 2002). Ask yourself here as you ponder the situation: \u201cWhat are the
\nproblems at this company?\u201d There certainly is usually more than one problem.
\nIdentify the ones you see as being instrumental to the success of the company
\nor its project.<\/p>\n
e.\u00a0
\nAlternatives<\/p>\n
Now that you have conducted research and placed the
\nproblem(s) into a context, you will have informed choices about the alternative
\nsolutions to the problem(s).<\/p>\n
You are not expected to analyze all possible
\nalternatives. However, you should have considered several alternatives when you
\nformed your opinion about the case. Discuss these alternatives and why you
\nrejected them in determining your solution to the case. Why are these viable
\nalternatives? What are the constraints (e.g. money, time, personnel, resources)
\nimposed and the reason that you do not recommend the alternative at this time?<\/p>\n
f.\u00a0
\nProposed Solution<\/p>\n
Discuss your proposed solution providing support with
\nsolid evidence. Generally, you should only provide one proposed solution. Keep
\nin mind that in the context of the case study, the characters or company can
\nonly start on one solution at a time. Which one do you propose and why? Justify
\nwhy this solution is the best option through a logical argument supported by
\nresearch.<\/p>\n
The proposed solution should be specific and realistic.<\/p>\n
g.\u00a0
\nRecommendations<\/p>\n
If appropriate, you may conclude your written analysis
\nwith a discussion of the implications of the problems you identified on the functioning
\nof the organization or on the relationship among individuals in the case. You
\nmay also want to make recommendations for further action that might be taken to
\nresolve some of these issues. Be specific about what should be done and who
\nshould do it. This section discusses specific strategies that the individuals
\nin the case can do to accomplish the proposed solution.<\/p>\n
Check with your instructor as to whether this section
\nshould be included in your case analysis report.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0
\nProduce a first draft of your case analysis.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0
\nRevise and edit the draft.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0
\nFormat and proofread the final report.<\/p>\n
Case study reports are written in a structured format,
\nnot as essays. Case study reports usually contain an Executive Summary that
\ncontains brief summaries of the Introduction, Background, and Proposed Solution
\nsections of your report. The Executive Summary provides a quick, easy-to-read
\nsummary of these three main parts of the case study. (Check with your
\ninstructor to see if he or she requires an Executive Summary to be included
\nwith your report.)<\/p>\n
Tips for formatting the final report:<\/p>\n
a.\u00a0
\nIf an Executive Summary is to be included, it
\nshould be single-spaced with relevant headings identifying the sections. The
\nExecutive Summary should summarize those sections of the report, and not
\ncontain any information not discussed by the report.<\/p>\n
b.\u00a0
\nThe case study analysis should be written as a
\nstructured report, with relevant headings. The case study analysis is not an
\nessay.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0
\nInclude any relevant appendices and references
\nin a proper APA format.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n