Difference Between Research Paper and Case Study

Finding yourself between the roadblocks of a research paper and case study is something many students come across. The difference between the two is immense, and students fail to understand this difference. They often confuse the two, increasing the likelihood of writing one in the case of the other. This means when it was a research paper, you made a case study or vice versa. While this is a hypothetical situation, some students think both are the same on a base level of knowledge. Also, it is quite common for students to be confused between the two. How?

Not knowing what the case study and research paper difference is arises from their similarities in conducting research. Somewhere, both academic writing assignments involve the students doing thorough research and investigating a particular matter. While it makes both of them quite similar, the purpose, methodologies, and even target audience differ between the two. You should know the difference between the two so that when you are creating any of these or both, you know what your approach should be. Here, we are providing you with a comprehensive introduction to the differences between the research paper and the case study.

What is a Research Paper?

Before knowing the difference between a research paper and case study, let’s get to know each of these individually. First, starting off with the research paper, what is a research paper? A research paper is academic writing material that provides an explanation and an overview of a particular topic or inquiry. In a research paper, you contribute to the existing knowledge of your particular field of study. This being said, research papers involve quantitative and qualitative research methods. It contributes to the scholarly discourse within the particular field of your subject.

What is a Case Study?

Now that you know what a research paper is, let’s kick start knowing about the case study and research paper difference. Following the introduction to the research paper, it is the turn of the case study. What is a case study? A case study is an elaborative and detailed investigation into a particular topic or instance to provide a deeper understanding and interpretation. A case study includes mostly qualitative forms of data collection and analysis. It involves the analysis of a phenomenon, person, group, event, organization or situation within the context of a real-world situation. It aims to understand the complexity of that particular subject.

Difference Case Scenarios in Case Study and Research Paper

With the explanation of a mentor providing help with assignment to students, we will dive deeper into the particular case scenarios or specifications of both kinds of writing. Knowing about the specific differences will allow you to take a smarter approach to writing each of them whenever there is a requirement from your university. You must remember that while both of them are academic writing materials in your coursework, both serve different purposes, employ different methodologies, and even have different target audiences. Here is a comprehensive overview of the differences between the two in their respective specifications:

1. Purpose

A research paper and case study differ in their purpose of writing because while a research paper is written to provide new information, case studies provide in-depth studies into a particular subject. The primary purpose of a research paper is to provide fresh insights into the particular field of study. It involves original research, theoretical analysis, literature review and sometimes a research question or hypothesis. A case study, on the other hand, focuses on a particular instance, phenomenon or event to represent an elaborative context of the real-world scenario in terms of the trends, theories or principles that exist in the field.

2. Scope

The difference case study and research paper represent through their scope is widely differentiating. While research papers are broader in scope than the case study, it focuses on the scholarly discussions. A case study typically focuses on a single case or instance and provides a detailed description with a proper examination of the subject matter. Research papers are structured around a central argument to provide participants with particular findings.

3. Methodology

Research papers use a wide range of research methods to conduct a study on a particular subject or topic. Taking a research paper assignment help will show you examples of how research papers only utilize quantitative data. This is because the methodology of a research paper is focused on testing hypotheses and exploring research questions proposed in the assignment. On the other hand, a case study often uses qualitative methods such as interviews, observations or documents, though it can also use quantitative empirical research.

4. Audience

Since research papers and case studies serve different purposes, they are related to different sets of audiences as well. Having a different audience is one of the reasons why a research paper and case study are different. Research papers are published in academic journals and conference papers for scholars, researchers, and other academic professionals. These contribute to the knowledge and influence further studies and theoretical developments within the field. On the other hand, while case studies can also be published in academic journals, they are also used in particular contexts of professional studies in fields like business, medicine and law.

One Additional Difference Between the Two in the End

Another major difference between the two is the structure of writing. While research papers generally have a structured format, case studies can vary in their structure. While both involve the same elements of any academic writing, it depends on the particular subject or requirements of your assignment. Whether you want help with a research paper or a case study assignment help, our mentors are available for you!

The amount of expertise and knowledge they carry will allow you to have genuine feedback on how to write your academic materials. They will also help you refine your work and enhance the quality of the presentation. When you will take our assistance, you will have other value-added services. Do not procrastinate much, and get in touch with us to learn more. Register now!