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WHAT IS A CASE STUDY?

A Case Study is :
+ A Description of an Actual
Situation
+ Involving a Decision, Challenge, or
Opportunity
+ Faced by Person/s in the
Organization
WHY CASE STUDIES?
 Allows Student to Step Into Role of
Decision Maker
 Repetitive Opportunity to Identify,
Analyze, and Solve Issues is Real
Life
 Practice Art as Well as Science
 Test Understanding of Theory
 Force Student to Make Decisions
With Available Information
 Because of Discussion Based
Format, Excellent Vehicle for:
+ Developing Self Confidence
+ Ability to Think Independently
+ Work Cooperatively
 Foster Development of Insights into
Own Strengths and Weaknesses
INVENTORY OF SKILLS
DEVELOPED
 Analytical Skills
 Decision Making Skills
 Application Skills
 Oral Communication Skills
 Written Communication Skills
 Interpersonal Skills
 Creative Skills
STRUCTURE OF A CASE
STUDY
 Problem
 Causes/ Issues
 Criteria
 Alternatives
 Analysis
 Select/ Implement
 References
FIRST – THE PROBLEM
 A Question Proposed for Solution
+ Incorrect Problem Definition
Leads to Inefficient Use of Resources
+ Problem is Your Target
+ Try To Make Sure You Have It!!
 A Cause is a person/ thing that
brings about an effect or result
 Tools
+ Fact Map – A Visual Tool
+ Experience w “Level ID”
RULES FOR A FACT MAP
 Write ALL Facts From Case Study on
Paper and Circle Each Fact
 Compare Each Fact to Every Other
Individual Fact and Ask “Did Fact 1
Cause Fact 2, Did Fact 1 Cause Fact
3,etc.”
 Next Draw a Line With an Arrow
Pointing Toward The Effect/ Result
 When You Have Compared All Facts,
Look To the Fact With the Most
Arrows Pointing At It
PROBLEM ID USING LEVELS
Problems Occur On 4 Levels
 Intrapersonal
+ Inside a person
 Interpersonal
+ Between Two or More People
 Organizational
+ Policies and Procedures, Cultural
 Environmental
+Causes Outside Organization, ie
Economy, Federal Regulations
RULES FOR ID LEVELS
 Determine the Level of Problem
 Develop Alternatives at That Level
+Is This Enough/ Too Much To Solve
this Problem?
 If No, You have Defined at Improper
Level. Try Another!
Corollary #1: Alternatives Need to Match
Your Defined Problem in Level
Corollary #2: If You Miss the Level With
Your Problem/ Alt Match, Better To Err
Globally
NEXT – CAUSES/ ISSUES
 Identify All Causes in the Case Study
That Impact Your Problem and List in
This Paragraph
+ Try To Stick With Just The Facts!!
+ Do NOT Make Assumptions Here
 Repeat For Issues ( A Matter of
Public Importance) and List Those
That Impact Your Designated
Problem. Again – NO Assumptions.
SELECTING CRITERIA
 A Standard of Judgment; A Rule or
Principle for Evaluating Something
 Go To the List of Qualitative Criteria
in Your Packet
 For Each Case, Prioritize as They
Relate to Your Defined Problem
 Select the MOST Important Three
+Please Note That the Others Are
Still Present; We will Simply Not Use
Them In the Interest of Resource Use
SOME QUALITATIVE CRITERIA
 Time
 Acceptance of Affected Parties
 Competitive Advantage
 Money
 Employee Morale
 Ethics
 Legal
 Corporate Image
 Customer Satisfaction
DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES
 The Problem Is Your Target – Aim At It!
 “Level” Match to Address Efficiently
 Goal Is To Develop Breadth of Decision
Opportunity
+Use Brainstorming Techniques to
Generate Multiple Solutions
+Sort Alts Into Categories – Look for
Breadth – Select Three From “Across the
Spectrum”
ANALYSIS
 The Combination of Breadth of Your
Alternatives With Thoroughness of
Research Using Your Criteria

=

 Depth of Analysis
SELECT/ IMPLEMENT
 The Best Solution Will Do You No Good If
Left Sitting Unused – Lybrook
 Select The Best Alternative – The One That
BEST Matches Your Criteria – And Relate
HOW, WHEN, WHO, WHERE, WHAT You
Will Do
 Corollary – Be Aware of Your Decision
Authority. Be Appropriate. (ie, Case #1
Asks for A Recommendation)
GRADING RUBRIC
 Typed/ Word Processed 1
 Mechanics( -¼ point / mistake ) 3
 References (2 required) 3 Cited in text of case? APA
Format / proper?
 Format 5 +Problem Correctly Stated? 1
 +Issues / Causes Identified 1
 +Appropriate Criteria Identified 1
 +Alternatives Match Problem Level 1
 +Implementation Appropriate 1
 Analysis 8 +Breadth (Each Alternative addressed) ) 3
 +Depth (Multiple +/-‘s for each alt) 5
 Total 20

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