NRSG138: Case study analysis tips
Prepared by the Academic Skills Unit 2021
NRSG138: Case study analysis tips
Definition
Case studies describe specific disciplinary situations. They can be used to help students
generalise key points from an in-depth investigation of a clinical case within its
oader
context to aid future practice.
Case study assignments may involve writing an essay, report, or filling in a template. Note
that there are typically some differences between a case study and a standard essay. Case
studies tend to be more specific, covering a particular patient situation using evidence from it
(including qualitative or quantitative information) to help justify any conclusions (along with
academic literature). Essays, however, have a
oader focus on disease, a treatment, a
concept or system and require more engagement with the literature. Therefore, remember to
explore theory but don’t stray too far away from ‘your’ patient.
Skills
Case studies can develop skills in reading, understanding, noting, evaluating, applying
theory to practice and reflecting.
When you are given a case study it may include such information as a patient’s physical
characteristics, medical history, assessment data, diagnosis, preferences and
oader
context. You may then have to do one, some or all of the following (depending on the
specific question):
• Describe (or summarise) the patient presentation. This may involve considering
previous treatment and cu
ent health status.
• Identify and analyse any relevant information such as issues, problems, co
elations,
inconsistencies and implications (and how classroom theory relates to this).
• Suggest possible ‘solutions’ to these via evidence based holistic treatment plans
(including potential advantages and disadvantages).
• Decide on and justify the best solution for implementation (including holistic and
practical strategies and priorities).
• Describe this implementation (including any treatment, the frequency and duration of
care along with any relevant implications, predictions and recommendations).
• Evaluate the implementation.
Structure
Introduction
Don’t start your paper with the specific details of the case. Contextualise it first with a more
general background.
Include your purpose and the structure of your writing as well as any key definitions and
assumptions made.
p. 2
Body
Ensure your body paragraphs have a consistent structure, incorporating relevant theory and
its application to the case.
If you must incorporate a theoretical model (such as a reflective cycle) make sure its specific
application is clear.
For any more complex processes for example an ‘intervention’ or ‘evaluation’ make the order
and timing of the steps clear.
Include mention of any other health care team members if appropriate.
Tentative language may be especially important when describing a possible course of
action, as health care is complex so any results cannot be guaranteed.
Connectives can illustrate examples and cause and effect relationships for example and
eporting ve
s highlight key points.
Sub-headings may be permissible (however always check with your lecturer).
Conclusion
A case study is an exemplar, so make sure you demonstrate more general ‘learnings’ from it
– it isn’t a biography! However, don’t forget to mention the case study in the conclusion.
References
You might have to use a variety of sources to support your points. These could include the
case itself (typically this shouldn’t require referencing), academic literature, professional
standards, your own practical experience and theoretical models. Check with your lecturer to
clarify what kind and how much evidence is needed for each assessment task.
For all your formal references check they are appropriate, credible, cu
ent and formatted
co
ectly.
APA 7 referencing on LEO
General tips
• Analyse as well as describe but the description should come first.
• Events and processes should be in chronological order.
• In any description, make sure you cover only relevant factors and group as
necessary. Ask yourself “have I picked out the key details?”
• The main focus should generally always be on the patient, not the condition or the
treatment.
• Use past tense to describe patient history, present for conclusions arising from
analysis and future for predictions and recommendations.
• Be specific – for example don’t just suggest “physiotherapy” but follow with relevant
details such as the actual treatment and technique that might be required.
https:
leo.acu.edu.au/mod
ook/view.php?id=2634931&chapterid=218271
https:
leo.acu.edu.au/mod
ook/view.php?id=2634931&chapterid=218269
https:
leo.acu.edu.au/mod
ook/view.php?id=2634931&chapterid=218270
https:
leo.acu.edu.au/mod
ook/view.php?id=1888106&chapterid=116998
p. 3
• Check if you can use headings and subheadings.
Definition
Skills
Structure
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
References
General tips
Microsoft Word - SoNMP 2022 Template Written Assessment 3 NRSG138
NRSG138: Transition to Nursing
NRSG138_ Assessment 3: Case Study © Australian Catholic University 2021 _ Page 1 of 2
ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
Assessment Title
Assessment Task 3: Case Study
Purpose
Each student will submit an essay which demonstrates application of core
theories of the unit to a case study. This piece will allow the student to
demonstrate their developing skills of identifying health care priorities and
person-centred nursing care.
Due Date Week 10, Wednesday 11th May, 2022
Time Due
0900 hours
Weighting
40%
Length
1200 words +/- 10% (includes intext citations, excludes reference list)
Assessment Ru
ic
See unit outline Appendix C.
LOs Assessed
LO 4, 5 & 6 from the Extended Unit outline, available in the LEO Information tile.
Task
As well as responding to challenging situations using advanced psychomotor
skills, Registered Nurses use sophisticated thinking abilities to apply clinical
easoning as they make decisions about patients with complex and diverse
health care needs (Levett-Jones, XXXXXXXXXXThere are 3 family members included in
this case study that you can choose from. Please review the family information
provided to you in the Demetriou family case study located in Appendix B of the
unit outline (pg 17 of unit outline).
In written essay format you are required to pick ONE (1) member of the
Demetriou family and apply the first FOUR (4) phases of the Clinical
Reasoning Cycle to demonstrate how a beginning nurse might plan the
care of this one individual.
Target Audience Lay people.
Submission
Via the appropriate Turnitin dropbox, located on the NRSG 138 LEO page,
under the Assessment tile.
FORMATTING
File format
.doc or .docx (not .pdf files)
Margins
2.54cm, all sides
Font and size
11-point Cali
i or Arial
Spacing
Double spacing
Paragraph
Aligned to left margin, indent first line of each paragraph 1.27cm
Title Page
Not to be used
Level 1 Heading
Centered, bold, capitalize each word (14-point Cali
i or Arial)
Level 2 Headings
Optional/ don’t have to be used:
Flush left, bold, capitalize each word (12-point Cali
i or Arial)
NRSG138: Transition to Nursing
NRSG138_ Assessment 3: Case Study © Australian Catholic University 2021 _ Page 2 of 2
Structure
Essay Structure as per the Academic Skills Unit guide :
Introduction- what will you present to the reader?
Body- Stage 1, 2 3 & 4 of the CRC presenting your application to the case study
client (use subheadings if you wish)
Conclusion- what did you present?
References- in APA 7 format
Direct quotes
Always require page number. No more than 10% of WC in direct quotes – see
formatting requirements within the APA 7 guide
Header Page number top right corner (9 point Cali
i or Arial)
Footer
Name _ Student Number_ Assessment _ Unit _ Year (9 point Cali
i or Arial)
REFERENCING
Referencing Style
APA 7th
Minimum References Generally, 1 (one) reference per 100 (one hundred) words.
Age of References
Published in the last 5 years as this area of knowledge is rapidly developing.
Note that this excludes seminal (original) works, which have no age limitations.
Reference List
Heading
“References” is centered, bold, on a new page. (14 point Cali
i or Arial)
Alphabetical Order
References are a
anged alphabetically by author family name
Hanging Indent
Second and subsequent lines of a reference have a hanging indent
DOI
Presented as functional hyperlink
Spacing
Double spacing the entire reference list, both within and between entries
ADMINISTRATION
Late Penalties
Late penalties will be applied from 9:01am on the 11th of May, 2022, incu
ing
5% penalty of the maximum marks available up to a maximum of 15%.
Assessment tasks received more than three calendar days after the due or
extended date will not be allocated a mark.
Example:
An assignment is submitted 12 hours late and is initially marked at 60 out of 100.
A 5% penalty is applied (5% of 100 is 5 marks). Therefore, the student receives
55 out of 100 as a final mark.
Penalty Timeframe Penalty Marks Deducted
9:01 am Wednesday to 9 am Thursday 5% penalty 5 marks
9:01am Thursday to 9am Friday 10% penalty 10 marks
9:01am Friday to 9am Saturday 15% penalty 15 marks
Received after 9:01 Saturday No mark allocated n/a
Final Assignment
Marks for the final assessment (assessment three) of this unit will be withheld
until after grade ratification and grade release at the end of semester.
ACU Letterhead
NRSG138 LIBRARY HELP
LIBRARY GUIDES
Li
ary Guides are a great place to start your research journey. They list relevant databases,
ooks/ebooks, and ejournals to make finding information easier. Listed below are useful Li
ary
Guides to help you take the first step to assignment success.
• Nursing Guide – access to frequently used databases and recommended links
https:
libguides.acu.edu.au/nursing
• Li
ary Basics
https:
li
ary.acu.edu.au/help/guides/li
ary-basics
• Assessment Help – eg. How to research your assignment / Searching the internet
https:
li
ary.acu.edu.au/help/guides/assessment-help
ASSESSMENT TASK