Distance Learning Support Kit: Welcome

A case study in an animal medicine field for example, involves the description of a horse's history, symptoms, signs and test results (X rays, blood tests, etc). You'll be expected to thoroughly understand and analyse the case using a theoretical framework or some other tool, and apply this to the knowledge you have gained from the course.

In other words, a case study expects more from you than a 'common-sense' analysis. It usually expects you to adopt the position of an expert or professional in the field. In most cases you'll be expected to follow this analysis with recommendations or suggested courses of action.

Doing a case study analysis is the perfect situation for you to 'pretend' to be the professional you are training to become.

Example

In one of the animal medicine fields, a case study may involve the description of a patient's history, symptoms, signs, and maybe even include some test results (X-rays, blood tests, etc).

You'll be expected to adopt the position of veterinary surgeon or animal physiotherapist, and suggest different diagnoses and how you would go about coming to the definitive diagnosis. For example, what further tests would be necessary and what would be the best tests to differentiate the various possibilities?

Once the diagnosis is reached you'd be expected to suggest a treatment regimen and follow-up procedures for the animal. There may be other aspects you are asked to discuss, for example, what are the possible side-effects of your suggested treatment; what is the success rate for the treatment; how can you tell if the treatment is working, and so on.

Prepare for case studies as you read and study by always thinking about the knowledge in terms of its use. Imagine situations where you would need the knowledge. Think of examples from your own life or that of friends, or even from television, where this newly acquired knowledge helps you understand the situation better. Imagine yourself as a practising professional and think about the cases that you would likely face on a day-to-day basis.

In this way you change abstract knowledge into useful knowledge and ground what you are learning in reality.

Recommendations

Most case studies ask for recommendations. In many ways this is the most important part as in the future this will be expected of you as an expert in the field.

Good recommendations:

MUST address the problems you have identified in your analysis.
MUST be visible, strong and justified. The justification, based on theories and your understanding of the problems, should follow each recommendation. The implications and expected outcomes should also be included. These become even more important if you are asked to give a range of possible recommendations.

Case study checklists

Ensure you are clear about what is actually being asked about the case. Some students are very good at analysing the case thoroughly but fail to answer the actual question/s.
Distinguish the relevant facts of the case from the irrelevant ones. In other words, don’t be side-tracked by interesting but non-essential pieces of information.
Put yourself in the position of a professional in your field and imagine what that professional would ask about the case and then you ask those questions of the case.
Develop a logical way of thinking about cases that is relevant to your discipline.
Recognise the theoretical frameworks or models used within your discipline and ensure you are clear about why, when and how they are used.
Ensure recommendations are visible, justified and most importantly match the identified problems.

Useful links in this kit

Literature review
Problem solving reports