Learning Lab

The next step is to read the case to identify what the issues are and try to understand how, or why, they might have occurred.

A proper analysis requires thorough reading more than once.

The three reading strategies to use are:

• Skimming: To gain a general idea of the content and structure of the case
• Scanning: To pick up important key words, linking words, names and numbers (including dates)
• Deep reading: Slow and careful reading with a critical (questioning) approach

Step 1: Skimming and scanning

Do not stop to make notes. The purpose is to understand the larger concepts, overall structure and scan for keywords, names and dates. When you have finished, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the case about?
• What issues can I see now?
• Does anything immediately connect to my course notes?

Step 2: Detailed reading

Re-read the case again, more slowly and carefully, for a deeper understanding. Some questions you could ask are:

• What critical events are important? When and why did they happen?
• Who are the people involved and who is responsible?
• What are the key problems? What evidence from the case shows this?
• What are the constraints or obstacles to potential solutions?
• What do I need to research?

For more information, see the Reading skills resources.

Step 3: Annotation/note-taking

Now, begin to annotate the case and continue to ask yourself questions as you read.

Highlight, underline and circle text, and add names, labels and comments to:

• identify important points and supporting points (examples, reasons, statistics)
• draw connections between ideas
• mark important definitions and terminology
• identify any points that need clarification

See the examples below.

For more information, see the Note-taking skills tutorials.