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Business Resources: Case Studies

Find scholarly resources in business

What is a Case Study?

"The case method of analysis involves studying actual business situations, written as an in-depth presentation of a company, its market, and its strategic decisions, in order to improve a manager's or a student's problem-solving ability. Cases typically investigate a contemporary issue in a real-life context. There are multiple issues to consider and many 'correct' or viable alternatives to solve the case issues are presented." --Encyclopedia of Management. (4th ed.). Detroit: Gale, 1999. (p. 71)

How to Analyze Case Studies

Once you have selected a case study, the following resources will assist you in analyzing the case materials.

  • WHAT IS CASE STUDY ANALYSIS?
    A publication of the Cengage Learning Online Study Center. This "Business Resource for Students" gives an overview of case study analysis.
  • ANALYZING A CASE STUDY
    Another publication of the Cengage Learning Online Study Center. This "Business Resource for Students" discusses the eight areas that should be included in a detailed analysis of a case study.
  • HOW TO ANALYZE A CASE STUDY
    From the publisher Prentice Hall: "This Hands-on Guide presents a structured framework to help you analyze case studies."

Research for Case Analysis

1. Use the company website for a starting point. Explore the history, annual reports, financials, news releases, etc.

2. Use Magazine and Journal Articles from ABI/Inform and the business databases below.  Tips: Look for cover stories. Limit date range. Use Advanced Search tools.

3. Use Company Profiles from ProQuest Business Market Research Collection  Tip: For older reports, select a date range.

4. Use Morningstar for information on financials - stocks, ratios, etc. Includes historical charts and timelines.                     

Sample citations (APA) from Morningstar:

Financial Statements. (2010, June 8). Apple, Inc. Retrieved from Morningstar Investment Research Center.

Gogia, S. (2010, October 19). International Business Machines Corp [Analyst report]. Retrieved from Morningstar Investment Research Center. 

5. Use EdGAR for SEC filings and other government sites (see below).

Databases for Case Study Research