Building your case (study)

If you are a lover of storytelling, then the case study methodology will certainly be right up your alley! Case studies bring us right to the core of the specific topic being explored. It allows evaluators an opportunity to embark on in-depth, multi-faceted explorations of complex issues in their real-life settings. Imagine the need to tell your target audience how successful your services are – your company has now evolved beyond the suspicious client testimonials and has opted for a sound methodology showing detailed real-life examples of how you were able to satisfy your customer’s needs. Or rather, imagine a world in which we would need to find out the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of an evolving virus that seems to present different across patients. The case study allows us to move beyond our imaginations to make this a reality. We do have an opportunity to obtain an in-depth appreciation of an issue, event, or occurrence of interest, in its natural real-life context.

An effective case study is one that resonates well with your audience. What’s the point of investing time and money in a case study if its results are soon forgotten when the reader gets to the last word? The story must be memorable. Focus on a person, situation, or incident that your ideal target audience will be able to relate to, always considering the demographics of your target. Additionally, cultural relevance plays a pivotal role in your audience being able to connect with the case you have chosen to present.

The story your case study puts forward must be so compelling and grounded in facts that not only will your audience remember it but they will leave convinced to embark on whatever path you attempted to guide them towards. Although this is primarily a qualitative methodology, do not shy away from including real figures or percentages – each element of the story must always be supported by the finding.

Gone are the days when the presentation of findings equated to boredom. Case studies allow us to energize findings and present them in various formats. The storytelling nature of the case study widens the appeal to various types of learners. While some persons prefer traditional reading, others may prefer audio, video, or visual representation of your findings, thus opening the opportunities for podcasts, videos, or even the incorporation of graphics.

While case studies may not be regarded as one of the more rigorous evaluation methodologies by all, if implemented correctly they can be among the most effective. Businesses are different, and as such the needs and audiences will vary. At EvaluCore, we love storytelling and can help you build a compelling case as part of your evaluation. Contact us today to let us show you how to creatively yet effectively use your real-life situations to examine a targeted issue.