Training Techniques for Case Study Method

A case study is a documented study of a specific real-life situation or imagined scenario, used as a training tool in business schools and firms. Students or trainees are required to analyze the prescribed cases and present their interpretations or solutions, supported by the line of reasoning employed and assumptions made.

Case studies are used mainly in Business, law, medical schools and social sciences. The case is delivered in an historical context. It is useful for students that are more deductive than inductive which means that they learn better from examples than from logical development starting with basic principles . This is also relevant for adult students, for which according to Malcolm Knowles, a professor of adult education, who defined Andragogy, as a theory based on the psychological definition of adult education, adults often learn best through experience.

Some authors agree that the major advantage of teaching with case studies is that students develop their skills in problem solving, analytical tools, decision making . The importance of the case study is the approach to the problem. Students can contrast their analysis and recommendations to what actually happened. But how can we get major advantage of the case study method? Which techniques are more recommended or can be more effective?

Some authors recommend a short lecture as introduction to the specific topic that will be reviewed during the training session. In a short training course, a good technique is presenting the cases with audio-visual techniques or videos because they can visualize directly the problem or situation to be analyzed . The same author refers that another interesting approach might be to have students role-play the part of the people involved in the case. This engages students or trainees to understand the perspectives of the people involved in the problem.

It is also important to promote the discussion after the presentation of the case study. The trainer...