How to Write Effective Case Study Conclusions

Not many people realize that the conclusion is vital to writing your case study. It should summarize the entire study, clarify all the research points, and focus on a few key takeaways.

There are several ways how to write case study conclusion. And we’re here to guide you with some easy and effective steps.

A good conclusion is interesting and captures the essence of your case. It needs to reflect your information and help the reader adopt your conclusion and act on it. Keep reading to learn how to do just that.

Importance of Your Case Study Conclusion

Your conclusion is an opportunity for you to summarize your findings and highlight what this study has taught you.

It should also summarize and draw out the main points you’ve discussed and reinforce the importance of your work. Remember, your last impression needs to be just as good as your first. You want to leave readers with something to think about or act on.

Types of Case Studies

Before we proceed on how to write case study conclusion, let’s take a brief look at the different types of case studies.

There are different types of case studies depending on how they are structured, what is the target audience, and the research methodology used. And your conclusion may vary depending on the nature of the case study.

Some of the most common case studies are:

• Historical: Historical events have a multitude of sources offering different perspectives. These perspectives can be applied, compared, and thoroughly analyzed in the modern world.
• Problem-oriented: This type of case study is used for solving problems. You can use theoretical situations where you immerse yourself in a situation. Through this, you can thoroughly examine a problem and find ways to resolve it.
• Cumulative: In a cumulative study, you gather information and offer comparisons. An example of this is a business case study that tells people about a product’s value.
• Critical: Critical case studies focus on exploring the causes and effects of a particular situation. To do this, you can have varying amounts of research and various interviews.
• Illustrative: In this case study, certain events are described, as well as the lessons learned.

How to Write Case Study Conclusion Effectively

Writing your conclusion doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these steps to help you get started on an effective conclusion.

1. Inform the reader precisely why your case study and your findings are relevant

Your conclusion is where you point out the significance of your study. You can cite a specific case in your work and explain how it applies to other relevant cases.

2. Restate your thesis and your main findings

Remind your readers of the thesis statement you made in your introduction but don’t just copy it directly. Also, make sure to mention your main findings to back up your thesis.

3. Give a summary of previous case studies you reviewed

What did you discover that was different about your case? How was previous research helpful? Include this in your conclusion so readers can understand your work and how it contributes to expanding current knowledge.

4. End with recommendations

Wrap up your paper by explaining how your case study and findings could form part of future research on the topic. You can also express your recommendations by commenting on how certain studies, programs, or policies could be improved.

Make sure everything you write in your conclusion section is convincing enough to tell the reader that your case is an effective solution. And if the purpose of your case is complicated, make sure to sum it up in point form. This will help the reader review the case again before approaching the conclusion.

How Long Should Your Conclusion Be?

The length of your conclusion may vary depending on whether you’re writing a thesis or a dissertation. At least 5-9 percent of your overall word count should be dedicated to your conclusion.

Often, empirical scientific studies have brief conclusions describing the main findings and recommendations for future research. On the other hand, humanities topics or systematic reviews may require more space to conclude their analysis. They will need to integrate all the previous sections into an overall argument.

Wrapping Up

Your conclusion is an opportunity to translate and amplify the information you have put in the body of the paper.

More importantly, it is an opportunity to leave a lasting positive impression. Make the right impression by following these quick steps on how to write case study conclusion effectively.