Business Case Studies

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Strategies for Evaluating Case Studies

Evaluating a Case Study

Case studies will vary based on the discipline and the content. Therefore, it is wise to understand the requirements of the assignment, the rubric, and any questions for response. 

To comprehend the case, it can be helpful to:  

  • Read the case several times to understand the situation, case details, and themes.  
    • Skimming: To gain a general idea of the content and structure of the case.
    • Scanning: To pick up critical keywords, names, and numbers (including dates).
    • Deep reading: Slow and careful reading with an enquiring approach.

Identify:

  • What happened? What are the key facts and issues? Are there any obstacles or limitations? 
  • What are the precipitating factors of the issue(s)? 
  • What information do you need to gather to summarise the theme?

Strategies for Reading Case Studies Effectively

First Read: Skimming and Scanning 

Goal: Notice the overall structure and context—what’s happening, who’s involved, and why it matters.

Your first pass should help you to understand the big picture, overall structure, and scan for keywords, names, and dates. 

After your first read, ask yourself: 

  • What is the case about? (1 - 2 sentence summary)  
  • What major issues or problems jump out right away?
  • Does anything connect to the ideas or theories covered in class?

Second Read: Detailed Reading and Analysis

Reread the case slowly for a deeper understanding.

Ask the following questions: 

  • What were the key events? Why did they happen when they did?
  • Who are the main people or groups involved? What are their goals or responsibilities?
  • What are the central problems or issues? What evidence supports that?
  • What solutions could work? What limitations or constraints exist?
  • What information do I still need to research?

Research Tip:

Be analytical, not descriptive. Don’t just repeat the case facts—focus on patterns, causes, relationships, and implications.

Deep Reading: Annotation/Notetaking Tips

Once you understand the case, start marking up the text to deepen your comprehension. 

Use your annotations to:

  • Highlight or label main points, supporting examples, and essential data.

  • Draw arrows or notes showing connections between ideas or events.

  • Mark key concepts or vocabulary you need to understand.

  • Flag anything that seems incomplete, confusing, or worth researching.

Quick Check

Case Study Reading Quick Check

After reading a case study, you should be able to answer the following questions: 

  • What is the central issue or problem? 
  • Who is involved, and what are their roles or goals? 
  • What key event shaped the situation? 
  • What evidence supports the main issues you identified? 
  • What decisions need to be made, and what options exist? 
  • What constraints or limitations might affect the solutions? 
  • What questions remain unanswered or need more research? 

 

Citations

Some material from this page has been adapted from the citations below. 

  • University of the Sunshine Coast. (2025). Steps to Analyze a Case Study. https://libguides.usc.edu.au/case-studies/steps