Regarding research papers and projects, citing your sources can sometimes feel like a secret code! You’ve found this amazing case study that perfectly supports your point, but how exactly do you give it a shout-out in your work? Well, it’s time we discussed how to cite a case study.
In academic and professional writing, it is crucial to provide accurate and proper citations to acknowledge the sources of information used.
When incorporating a case study into your paperwork, it is essential to cite it appropriately, ensuring transparency and integrity in your research.
We’ll break down everything you need to know in a clear and friendly way, even if you’re new to the whole citation thing. We’ll cover where to find the information you need, what to include in your citation, and even different citation styles depending on your teacher’s preferences.
Table of contents
- A Case Study
- What Does It Mean to Cite a Case Study in Your Paperwork?
- What is an Example of a Case Study?
- Do You Have to Cite a Case Study?
- How to Cite a Case Study in Your Paperwork
- Proper Citation Format for a Case Study
- How Do I Cite a Case Study With Multiple Authors?
- How to Cite Unpublished Case Studies
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
A Case Study
A case study is a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of a particular subject, typically undertaken in social sciences, business, medicine, or psychology. It involves systematically examining a specific individual, group, organization, event, or phenomenon to gain insights into its complexities and understand real-life situations.
Case studies often employ multiple data sources, such as interviews, observations, documents, and quantitative data, to provide a holistic understanding of the subject under investigation.
A case study aims to explore, describe, and analyze a unique context, unravel causal relationships, and generate rich, detailed narratives that contribute to existing knowledge or inform practical decision-making.
Researchers and practitioners rely on case studies to offer valuable insights, illustrate theoretical concepts, or present exemplary instances for learning and discussion.
Read: Practical Tips on Writing an A+ Research Paper
What Does It Mean to Cite a Case Study in Your Paperwork?
Citing a case study in your paperwork means acknowledging and referencing the specific case study you have used as a source of information or evidence in your research or writing. It also involves providing accurate and detailed information about the study, including the author’s name, title, publication or source, publication date, and other relevant details.
Citing a case study credits the original author or source and demonstrates your commitment to academic integrity and ethical research practices. It also allows readers to locate and access the original case study for further reading or verification.
Citing a case study adds credibility and validity to your work, showing that you have relied on credible sources to support your arguments or findings.
What is an Example of a Case Study?
One example of a case study is the famous “Stanford Prison Experiment” conducted by psychologist Philip Zimbardo in 1971. In this case study, Zimbardo aimed to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power and authority in a simulated prison environment.
Participants were randomly assigned the roles of prisoners and guards, and the study was designed to last for two weeks. However, due to the extreme psychological distress experienced by the participants, the study had to be terminated after only six days.
The case study documented the simulated prison’s behavioural changes, power dynamics, and ethical implications, providing valuable insights into the psychological impact of social roles and situational influences.
The Stanford Prison Experiment remains a significant case study in psychology, influencing subsequent research and discussions on human behaviour and the abuse of power.
Also, read: How to Choose the Right Research Topic in Step By Step Guide
Do You Have to Cite a Case Study?
Yes, it is important to cite a case study when you use it in your work. Citing a case study serves several important purposes.
Firstly, citing a case study acknowledges the original author or source, giving proper credit for their work and ideas. This is essential for ethical and academic integrity, as it recognizes the intellectual contributions of others.
Secondly, by citing a case study, you provide a means for readers to locate and access the source, allowing them to delve deeper into the subject matter or verify the information you have presented.
Additionally, citing a case study adds credibility and validity to your work. It demonstrates that your research is based on relevant and reliable sources, enhancing the overall quality and authority of your writing.
Overall, citing a case study is a fundamental practice that fosters transparency, respect for intellectual property, and the advancement of knowledge in academic and professional spheres.
How to Cite a Case Study in Your Paperwork
When citing a case study in your paperwork, the specific citation format may vary depending on your citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Here’s an example of how to cite a case study in APA style:
Author(s). (Year). Title of case study. In Title of Book or Journal (pp. xxx-xxx). Publisher.
Example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2021). Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X. In Journal of Management Studies (pp. 45-67). ABC Publications.
In this example, Smith and Johnson are the authors of the “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X,” published in the Journal of Management Studies. The page range of the case study within the journal is provided, followed by the publisher’s name.
Also, check out: Practical Tips on Writing an A+ Research Paper
Proper Citation Format for a Case Study
The proper citation format for a case study depends on your citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard. Here is a general guideline for citing a case study:
- Author(s): Provide the name(s) of the author(s) of the case study. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear.
- Year of Publication: Include the year the case study was published or made available.
- Title of Case Study: Provide the title of the case study, using sentence case capitalization.
- Title of Source: If the case study is part of a larger publication, such as a book or journal, include the source’s title in which it is published. Use title case capitalization for book titles and sentence case for article or chapter titles.
- Page Numbers: If the case study appears within a larger publication and has specific page numbers, include the page range.
- Publication Information: Provide the relevant publication information, such as the publisher’s name or the journal’s title, volume, and issue number.
How Do You Cite a Case Study in APA?
APA style refers to the citation and formatting guidelines the American Psychological Association provided. It is commonly used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education.
APA style provides a standardized method for citing sources, including case studies, to ensure clarity, consistency, and proper attribution in academic writing.
To cite a case study in APA style, follow the format below:
Author(s). (Year). Title of case study. In Title of Book or Journal (pp. page range). Publisher.
Here’s an example of citing a case study in APA style:
Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Davis, M. (2023). Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X. In Journal of Management Studies (pp. 45-67). ABC Publications.
In this example, Smith, Johnson, and Davis are the authors of the case study titled “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X.” The case study is published in the Journal of Management Studies, with page numbers from 45 to 67. The publisher is ABC Publications.
Note that if the case study is retrieved from an online source, you must include the URL or DOI at the end of the citation. Additionally, make sure to italicize the titles of books or journals and use proper capitalization and punctuation according to APA guidelines.
How Do You Cite a Case Study in an Essay?
To cite a case study in an essay, you must follow the specific citation style required by your academic institution or instructor, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard. Here are some general guidelines for citing a case study in an essay:
- Author(s): Provide the name(s) of the author(s) of the case study. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear.
- Year of Publication: Include the year the case study was published or made available.
- Title of Case Study: Provide the case study title using sentence case capitalization.
- Title of Source: If the case study is part of a larger publication, such as a book or journal, include the source’s title in which it is published. Use title case capitalization for book titles and sentence case for article or chapter titles.
- Page Numbers: If the case study appears within a larger publication and has specific page numbers, include the page range.
Citation Style: Format the citation according to the specific citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
How Do You Cite a Case Study in MLA?
MLA style refers to the citation and formatting guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association. It is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, language, and cultural studies. MLA style provides a standardized method for citing sources, including case studies, to ensure consistency, clarity, and proper attribution in academic writing.
To cite a case study in MLA style, follow the format below:
Author(s). “Title of the case study.” Title of Book or Journal, edited by Editor(s), Publisher, Year, page range.
Here’s an example of citing a case study in MLA style:
Smith, John, et al. “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X.” Journal of Management Studies, edited by Jane Johnson, ABC Publications, 2023, pp. 45-67.
In this example, John Smith and colleagues are the authors of the case study titled “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X.” The case study is published in the Journal of Management Studies, edited by Jane Johnson, and published by ABC Publications in 2023. The page numbers of the case study within the journal are 45-67.
How Do You Cite a Case Study in Chicago?
Chicago style refers to the citation and formatting guidelines provided by The Chicago Manual of Style. It is widely used in history, humanities, and social sciences. Chicago style offers two citation systems: the notes-bibliography system (commonly used in humanities) and the author-date system (commonly used in social sciences).
The format below follows the notes-bibliography system, which employs footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations and a corresponding bibliography.
To cite a case study in Chicago style, follow the format below:
Note/Endnote:
Author(s). “Title of case study.” In Title of Book or Journal, edited by Editor(s), page range. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.
Bibliography:
Author(s). “Title of case study.” In Title of Book or Journal, edited by Editor(s), page range. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.
Here’s an example of citing a case study in Chicago style:
Note/Endnote:
John Smith, “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X,” in Journal of Management Studies, edited by Jane Johnson, 45-67 (Place of publication: ABC Publications, 2023).
Bibliography:
Smith, John. “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X.” In Journal of Management Studies, edited by Jane Johnson, 45-67. Place of publication: ABC Publications, 2023.
In this example, John Smith is the author of the case study titled “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X.” The case study is published in the Journal of Management Studies, edited by Jane Johnson, and published by ABC Publications in 2023. The page range of the case study within the journal is 45-67.
Follow the specific requirements of the notes-bibliography or author-date system and adjust the format accordingly. Pay attention to capitalization, punctuation, and using footnotes or endnotes.
See Also: What are the Different Parts of a Research Paper?
When citing a case study with multiple authors, you should include all the authors’ names in the citation. In the citation, list the authors’ names in the order they appear in the original case study.
Use each author’s “Last Name, First Name” format, separating multiple authors with commas. The rest of the citation format remains the same, including the title of the case study, the publication information, and the page range, if applicable.
For accurate formatting of the case study citation with multiple authors, follow the specific guidelines of the citation style you use, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago.
How to Cite Unpublished Case Studies
When citing unpublished case studies, providing as much information as possible is important to allow readers to locate the source if needed. The specific format may vary depending on your citation styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Generally, include the following information:
Author(s). (Year). Title of case study (Unpublished manuscript/Unpublished case study). Institution/Location.
Example (APA style):
Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Davis, M. (2023). Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X (Unpublished case study). The University of XYZ.
In this example, Smith, Johnson, and Davis are the authors of the unpublished case study “Exploring Leadership in Crisis: A Case Study of Company X.” The title indicates that it is an unpublished case study, followed by the name of the institution or location where the case study was conducted or prepared.
Adjust the format based on the specific citation style requirements and provide sufficient information to identify and retrieve the unpublished case study.
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FAQs
The citation format for a case study depends on your specific citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard. Consult the guidelines provided by your academic institution or refer to the appropriate style manual for accurate formatting instructions.
When citing a case study, include the author(s), title of the case study, title of the source (if applicable), publication information (publisher, year), and page range (if applicable). Additionally, provide the URL or DOI if the case study is retrieved from an online source.
If a case study does not have an identified author, start the citation with the title of the case study instead. Follow the standard citation format for the chosen citation style, including the other required information.
Conclusion
Properly citing a case study is crucial for acknowledging the original author, providing credibility to your work, and enabling readers to access the source. Whether it’s a published or unpublished case study, adhering to the citation style guidelines ensures academic integrity and contributes to the transparency and validity of your research.
References
- guides.library.ualberta.ca – APA Citation Style
- easybib.com – How to Cite a Case Study in APA, MLA, or Chicago
- rasmussen.libanswers.com – How do I cite a case study?
- bibguru.com – How to cite “The art of case study research”
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