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. It illuminates 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.
Author information
Author list: Use author full legal name, starting with the first name (maximum of three names); do not use initials.
Corresponding author: Include full name and email address
Abstract
The abstract should have a maximum of 250 words that address all sections required.
Language: Manuscripts should be in English (UK spelling).
Equations: Mathematical equations should be presented using appropriate Microsoft software.
Units and abbreviations
- Use SI units of measurement and use numerals before standard units of measurements.
- Use words for numbers one to nine, and numerals for larger numbers, especially in the text.
- Non-standard abbreviations should be avoided, and where used, should be explained at their first mention.
Text Formatting
The manuscript to be submitted in word format (.doc or docx) using the latest version of the software.
Fonts
Use Tahoma font type size 12 throughout the document. Italics should only be used when appropriate. 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 while 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 editable in a Word document and placed as close as possible to their first mention in the text. 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). Use approved abbreviations or abbreviations already defined in the text and define others in the general footnote. Avoid the use of gridlines. Use a border at the top and bottom of the table, beneath column headings, and above column spanners.
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.
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.
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. Suggest future research or case studies.
Acknowledgements
Organize acknowledgments in paragraph form in the following order: persons, groups, granting institutions, grant numbers and serial publication number where applicable.
Referencing
- Authors should use the APA (American Psychological Association) referencing style.
- All references cited in the text must be listed and all references listed must be cited in text. For intext citation, include name and year in parenthesis in a chronological order. Separate multiple citations using a semi colon.
- References to the literature cited in the manuscript should be organized alphabetically by name of first author.
- If there are multiple works by the same author, order them by date, if the works are in the same year, order them alphabetically by the title and allocate a letter (a, b, c e.t.c) after the date.
- Cite single-author references by the surname of the author followed by date of the publication in parenthesis, e.g “. ... according to Hays (1994)” or “ ... population growth is one of the greatest environmental concerns facing future generations (Hays, 1994)”.
- Cite double-author references by the surnames of both authors followed by date of the publication in parenthesis, e.g. “.... Simpson and Hays (1994)”.
- Cite more than double-author references by the surname of the first author followed by et al. and then the date of the publication, e.g. “Pfirman et al. (1994)“.
- The surname is stated once followed by the dates in order chronologically if works are by the same author. For instance, Mitchell (2007, 2013, 2017) Or (Mitchell, 2007, 2013, 2017).
- If these works are by multiple authors then the references are ordered alphabetically by the first author separated by a semicolon as follows: (Mitchell & Smith 2017; Thomson, Coyne, & Davis, 2015).
Formats of writing references in reference list
Journal paper: Mitchell, J.A. (2017). Citation: Why is it so important. Mendeley Journal, 67(2), 81-95
Book: Mitchell, J.A., Thomson, M., & Coyne, R.P. (2017). A guide to citation. London, England: My Publisher
Jones, A.F & Wang, L. (2011). Spectacular creatures: The Amazon rainforest (2nd ed.). San Jose, Costa Rica: My Publisher
Edited Book: Williams, S.T. (Ed.). (2015). Referencing: A guide to citation rules (3rd ed.). New York, NY: My Publisher
Chapter in an edited book: Troy, B.N. (2015). APA citation rules. In S.T, Williams (Ed.). A guide to citation rules (2nd ed., pp. 50-95). New York, NY: Publishers.
E-Book: Mitchell, J.A., Thomson, M., & Coyne, R.P. (2017). A guide to citation. Retrieved from https://www.mendeley.com/reference-management/reference-manager
E-Book chapter: Troy, B.N. (2015). APA citation rules. In S.T, Williams (Ed.). A guide to citation rules (2nd ed., pp. 50-95). Retrieved from https://www.mendeley.com/reference-management/ eference-manager
Website: Mitchell, J.A. (2017, May 21). How and when to reference. Retrieved from
https://www.howandwhentoreference.com.
Article in a newspaper: Mitchell, J.A. (2017). Changes to citation formats shake the research world. The Mendeley Telegraph, Research News, pp.9. Retrieved from https://www.mendeley.com/reference-management/reference-manager.
Magazine article: Mitchell, J.A. (2017). How citation changed the research world. The Mendeley, pp. 26-28
Report by an institution: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (1997).
Worldwide regulations for mycotoxins for 1995: A compendium. Food and Nutrition Paper No. 64. FAO Rome.
Kenya National Bureau of statistics (2007). Economic Survey report: Ministry of Planning and National Development. Pp 159-179.
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). (2006). Eastern province annual crop report. Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi, Kenya.
Publication in proceedings: Legesse, B.W., Myburg, A.A., Pixley, K., Twumasi- Afriyie, S. & Botha, A.M. (2007). Genetic diversity of maize inbred lines revealed by AFLP markers. African Crop Science Conference proceedings 8: 649 - 654.
Paper presented in conference: Howler RH, Oates G, Allem A. (2001). An assessment of the impact of cassava production on the environment and biodiversity,3-9. In: Hershey, C (Ed.). Proceedings of Validation Forum on Global Cassava Development Strategy held from 26 to 28 April 2001, Rome, Italy.
Thesis: Mitchell, J.A. (2017). Fungal and aflatoxin contamination in maize from eastern Kenya and evaluation of possible management strategies. MSc. Thesis, University of Nairobi.