Case Study

GUIDELINES FOR CASE STUDY

A case study research paper examines an event, condition, phenomenon or other type of subject of analysis in order to extrapolate key themes and results that help predict future trends, illuminate previously hidden issues that can be applied to practice, and/or provide a means for understanding an important research problem with greater clarity. The following are the components to include:

Title

The title should be brief and no more than 15 words. It should clearly describe the overall content of the manuscript. A clear link should be evident between the title, objective, findings and conclusions.

Authors’ names

Author list: Use author(s) full legal name in the order the names should be published; do not use initials.

Corresponding author: Include full name, mailing address, and email address

Abstract

The abstract should have between 200 to 250 words that address all sections required.

Introduction

Explain the purpose and type of case study and its importance to the field of professional communication. Forecast the main sections of the manuscript.

About the case

Explain the situation, problem or opportunity that inspired examination of the case. Describe the object of study in this case. If applicable, describe the process for developing the applied solution, including its purpose, audience, key milestones, activities, issues, decisions, reactions or interactions. Address important constraints or challenges that existed.

Situating the case

Explain the importance of the current case study in relation to issues, practices, pedagogies, research and/or theories in the field and, if applicable, to other similar cases.

Methods/Approach

Explain (1) What data were collected to examine the case, (2) How the data were collected (e.g google search, performance evaluation methods and criteria, etc.), (3) How the data were studied and interpreted and (4) Why the author(s) used these methods. Address the trustworthiness and credibility of the data collected to examine the case.

Results/Discussion

Describe the study findings and the extent to which findings address the original problem or answer the original question(s). Interpret the findings through pertinent research and related issues, practices or cases.

Conclusions and recommendation

Discuss implications for practice, research and education. Address the limitations that might constrain interpretation and application of the findings - particularly in other settings and other concerns and issues that the case study introduces. Suggest future research or case studies.

Acknowledgements

Place the acknowledgments after the conclusion and recommendations.

References – Refer to the author guidelines for research articles.

Fonts

  • Use Tahoma font type size 12.
  • The font must be consistent throughout the document.
  • Italics should only be used when appropriate (scientific text, titles of works).
  • Font colour must be black for all main text; coloured font may be used for charts, graphs, maps etc.

Margins

  • Use normal margin measuring 1 inch (or 2.54 cm).
  • The text should be justified.
  • Tables and figures, including their captions must conform to margin requirements.

 Spacing and indentations

  • The text should be 1.5 spaced.
  • Text for figures and table captions, footnotes, items within tables and lists in appendices are single spaced.
  • The first line of each paragraph should be indented using a standard tab indent

 Tables

  • Tables should be placed as close as possible to their first mention in the text.
  • Tables should be editable tables in a Word document. 
  • If a table continues on more than one page, repeat column headings on subsequent page(s).
  • All columns must have headings.
  • Leave no space between lowercase letters and their preceding values (e.g., 731.2ab).
  • Do not footnote the title—use the unlettered first footnote to include general information necessary to understand the title (e.g., define terms, abbreviations, and statistical tests).
  • Use approved abbreviations or abbreviations already defined in the text and define others in the general footnote. 

Figures

  • Figures should be at least 300 dpi, or 1200 dpi for line graphs.
  • Photographs should be treated as figures
  • The quality in which figures are submitted is the quality in which they will print—please ensure figures are high quality.
  • The following file types of figures are accepted: tif (preferred), eps (preferred), rtf, ppt/pptx, pdf, ps, psd, ai, gif, png. Figures should be in their native format for best quality.
  • Maximum height: 240 mm.
  • Maximum width (one-column figure): 82 mm.
  • Maximum width (two-column figure): 171 mm.