Introduction
Case studies are designed to approach examples from real life that help leverage experience and knowledge presented by the analysis of events. The mentioned method allows executives to learn from the experiences of other managers and companies, which would enable them to overcome particular difficulties they may face. This paper aims to summarize helpful hints from Hammond’s article and discuss how those can be applied for approaching case studies.
Approaching Case Studies
Firstly, it is necessary to understand that case studies require an application of analytical skills. Hammond (1976) recommends looking through the case before examining it in a detailed manner. One can read several paragraphs to gain a general understanding of the topic. This approach is helpful because it allows thinking about the implications of the described events. This tip can help approach a case study because by applying it an individual will be able to reflect on the topic discussed in the text and form his or her opinion regarding it. Additionally, reading the tables and other materials in the appendix can help identify the type of quantifiable measures that were applied to a problem.
While examining a case study and making personalized assumptions is helpful, one may benefit from talking to classmates or colleagues about the issues described in that paper. Thus, the second tip from Hammond (1976) is to engage in a conversation with individuals in the same field. It should be noted that to benefit from such talk one must prepare the arguments thoroughly and be ready to defend his or her position. This can help refine a particular opinion on the issue and listen to feedback from others.
Conclusion
Overall, case studies can be beneficial in preparing to resolve real-life managerial problems because they allow analyzing issues and solutions. In his article, Hammond offers the following valuable tips – looking through the text and talking about its implication with other individuals. These tips are useful because they help analyze the information and refine arguments. By reviewing the document and talking to colleagues about it, one may understand the events better.
Reference
Hammond, J. S. (1976). Learning by the case method. Web.