Preparing a Case StudyGetting StartedWhat is a Learning Outcome?Ethical Issues and Learning OutcomesDetermination of the Ethical ScenarioPreparing the CaseWriting the CaseParts of a Case StudySome Characteristics of a Good Case StudySome Ideas from Tom TomlinsonExample Case StudySome Helpful LinksWriting Case Studies1 Preparing a Case Study1.1 Getting StartedThe first two steps in preparing a case study are reversible in order, in fact they follow the pattern ofthe classic “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. Does one think of an interesting ethicalquestion or learning objective and then find or construct a scenario to illustrate it, or does one come acrossan interesting ethical situation or scenario and then construct the question or learning objective.For example, one might read about a drug that was withdrawn from experimental trials because it wasnot viewed as having as much overall profit potential as an alternative drug although it is more effectivefor a small percentage of the population. This might spark a series of ethical questions about who are thestake holders in a problem: shareholders in a drug company, the majority of the people involved, the mostdisadvantaged of the people involved, and so on. Or one might be interested in ethical issues related toloyalty to family versus friends versus country and construct a scenario about surrendering information to aterrorist group at the threat of loss of life to one’s family.The important thing is that there be clear ethical issues arising from a realistic situation with whichthose analyzing the case can identify.1.2 What is a Learning Outcome?A learning outcome is a statement that specifies what learners will know or be able to do as a result of alearning activity. Outcomes are usually expressed as knowledge, skills, or attitudes.Learning outcomes provide direction in the planning of a learning activity. They help to:• Focus on learner’s behavior that is to be changed• Serve as guidelines for content, instruction, and evaluation• Identify specifically what should be learned• Convey to learners exactly what is to be accomplishedLearning outcomes have three distinguishing characteristics.1. The specified action by the learners must be observable.2. The specified action by the learners must be measurable.3. The specified action must be done by the learners.Learning outcomes should involve action verbs. Some example action verbs are: compile, create, plan,revise, analyze, design, select, utilize, apply, demonstrate, prepare, use, compute, discuss, explain, predic-tassess, compare, rate, and critique. Some verbs to avoid are: know, become aware of, appreciate, learn,understand, and become familiar with.Here are some example learning objectives. After analyzing this case study, the student should be ableto do the following.1. List the different agents who are affected by the scenario presented in this case study.2. Demonstrate knowledge of the main concepts and theories of ethics (e.g., egoism, rights, duties, utili-tarianism, Kantianism, virtue ethics and so forth) in analyzing the this case study.3. Differentiate between what is good for Sallie Mae and what is good for her neighbor Freddie Mac.14. List the action set for the different agents in this case study.5. List which choices in part 4 are ethical decisions.6. Write a moral premise for at least one and maybe more of the ethical decisions listed in part 5.7. Prepare a statement of facts that would allow you to draw a moral conclusion for the ethical problemfaced by Sallie Mae’s father Lyndon B. Johnson.8. Provide a moral premise, set of factual premises, and a reasonable ethical conclusion different fromthat of the eighty-ninth congress in passing the Higher Education Act of 1965.1.3 Ethical Issues and Learning OutcomesMake a list of well defined ethical issues and learning objectives for the case study. Identify the key ethicalissues that will be presented in the case study. Decide on your pedagogical goals for those who will analyzethe case, whether in terms of being able to analyze a given ethical issue or gain new ethical insights. Learningoutcomes specify what participants are expected to know and what they are expected to be able to do, value,or feel at the completion of the exercise. That is to say, you have to think about or list the learning issues youwould like participants to engage in while studying the case, and the learning outcomes that will be achievedafter completing work on the case. Eventually, the learning outcomes help you determine the content ofthe case in terms of the concepts, rules and principles needed. An effective case should make participantsinterested in and motivate them to acquire a deeper understanding of the concepts and principles that havebeen taught or they are going to learn.1.4 Determination of the Ethical ScenarioFind and/or construct a scenario that presents the ethical choice situations you have identified for the casestudy. The best cases are based on events that are typical of everyday life, ones that everyone can recognizeand to which they can add their own experience or insights. Use as much factual information as possible.Quotes, exhibits and pictures can be included to add realism and life to the case.Here are some questions that are often useful in deciding about the usefulness of a given scenario.1. Can the story be portrayed as a web of decisions leading to certain consequences?2. Can the story be told by, or seen from the viewpoint of, a central player acting under pressure andcaught in a situation which requires the exercise of judgment in choosing a course of action? As the caseunwinds, the central actor will be the vehicle for problem analysis and the identification of alternativecourses of action.3. Will the central figure be surrounded by other key actors or observers, able to add complementary ordifferent insights into the problem? These people may either be friendly or hostile towards the centralcharacter.4. Does the scenario have one central, broadly applicable theme plus several sub-plots and issues? Whilstthe central issue could involve a choice to be made, making that choice could involve several otherchoices or dilemmas.5. Is the end a critical decision point: where the central player must decide what to do? Or does the casepresent the decision make by the key actor and then ask for analysis of that decision?21.5 Preparing the CaseDecide what information should be put into