Writing up Your Case Study |
| Make sure you use the following framework and clearly
identify each section with the titles given (i - ix) below. Ensure
you have provided your name, candidate number and page number in the
footer of each page |
| (i) Title Page |
Cover - Use a range of media, present company product or service,
as well as company name and logo.
Contents page - To be completed last! Use the given headings (i
-ix) with some of the larger sections to be simplified further. |
| (ii) Introduction |
Provide a short context for your case study - Explain who you
are, what you are going to do and provide general company information
on the product or service.
Provide a list of aims you want to meet
through the case study. These will range from; 'I want to gain a
better industrial understanding of how products are designed and
manufactured' (general aim), 'To meet the objectives identified in
Section (v) - Research and Time Management Strategies' (specific
aim).
You should include at least five aims
|
(iii) Details of the
pre-placement visit |
Explain how you first made contact with the company, to include
dates, times and methods of communication (letters, phone calls or
e-mails).
Name your contact (host) and write up in general the interviews
and observation that took place on your visit. This should include
discussion of the specification content, focused study topic and the
time plan.
Full details should be reserved for the next section. If
possible, keep and clearly label all copies of communication as well
as notes from interviews and observation and submit them in the appendix. |
| (iv) Company Overview |
Where are they - maps and photographs are essential. ( www.Multimap.co.uk)
Illustrate the product or services provided - using a range of media.
(Digital camera, company literature)
How they do it - using flowcharts,
diagrams and annotation.
A journey (flow diagram) of the product/service
provided through the company is an excellent way to meet the above
two points.
Illustrate the company structure to include responsibilities.
( Pen portraits on each person.) |
| (v) Research and time management strategies |
In this section you should write up the work completed
on page three, four, five and six as this forms
the basis for your study:
• Outline the focused study to be addressed. Your main
objective is what you are going to find out about!
• Outline how you are going to research these issues.
- Write up your time plan for your placement. Additional details/charts
of some activities are favorable if possible.
|
| (vi) Focused Study |
SECTION A
Title each specification content point and explain
their relevance in the company's product or service. |
SECTION B
• Name the focused study topic from a
design or manufacture based activity.
• Produce an
in depth study of the focused study at your placement.
Where relevant identify with the number reference where the specification
content overlaps the focused study.
Analyse your findings, list
the strengths of the company in respect of the focused study.
Highlight any weaknesses and suggest improvements or possible
solutions. |
|
| (vii) Personal Comment on the effectiveness of the research
and time management strategies |
• Did you manage to follow your time plan on your placement
or were modifications made? If so, what were these? Read the next
advice point so that you do not repeat yourself.
• How effective were your research strategies in terms
of gaining the information on the specification content and the focused
study you identified on your first visit.
i. What aims did you meet?
ii. What aims were you not able to meet?
Explain why.
iii. What aims were met by other research methods not
previously identified? |
| (viii) Conclusion |
• What is your analytical view (which must be justified)
on the product or service provided?
• What have you gained
from this case study in terms of developing your skills as
a design and technology student, particularly towards your project work and
by developing your knowledge and understanding for the exam
(course specification)?
Design an evaluation sheet for the host to evaluate
your attendance, punctuality, performance and contribution to the
company on your placement. |
| (ix) Appendix |
• Copies of communication sent and received from the
company.
• Copies of notes (from observations and interviews and
a rough copy of your time plan with possible changes during the placement).
• Copies of company documents/literature (kept to a minimum).
• Detailed technical drawings of the product or service
(commitment).
Copies and details of advertising materials/campaigns. |