Last updated: April 2026 · 7 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Introduction
Case studies are detailed examinations of single instances — a clinical case, a business situation, a legal matter, an educational intervention. They are valid research contributions when the case is theoretically significant or instrumental in advancing understanding.
Not all journals accept case studies. The author guidelines page typically lists accepted formats; case-study acceptance should be confirmed before drafting.
What case-study journals look for
| Field | Typical case-study expectations |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Unusual presentation, novel treatment response, diagnostic challenges |
| Management / Business | Strategic decisions, organisational change, theory development |
| Education | Pedagogical interventions, curriculum innovation, learner outcomes |
| Law | Legal precedents, regulatory implications, jurisdictional issues |
| Social sciences | Community studies, ethnographies, single-site analyses |
Practical guidance
- Confirm 'case study' is listed as an accepted format in the journal's author guidelines.
- Match the case to journal scope; medical case journals do not publish business cases.
- Justify why this case is theoretically significant or instrumental, not merely interesting.
- Follow the journal's case-study word limit (often 2,000–5,000 words, shorter than full articles).
- Address generalisability honestly: what the case shows and what it does not.
What to avoid
Decision guidance
If two case-study venues are comparable, prefer the one with stronger indexing in your field's primary databases. Case studies benefit particularly from indexing because they are often searched by topic rather than by general scope.
Example scenarios
Scenario: a clinician documenting an unusual presentation
Clinical case reports require explicit consent documentation, clear de-identification of patient information, and structured presentation (history, findings, treatment, outcome). Most medical case journals follow CARE guidelines; submission packages should include the consent form alongside the manuscript.
Scenario: a researcher writing a management case
Management case studies typically combine description with theoretical contribution. The case should illustrate or develop a concept; pure description without theoretical engagement is less likely to be accepted at strong management journals.
Scenario: an educator publishing a pedagogical case
Education case studies often combine intervention design, implementation, and outcomes. Including some quantitative data (where available) alongside qualitative observation strengthens the case at most education journals.
What to do next
Identify case-study venues in the relevant field and confirm format acceptance before drafting. Authors targeting EP Journals Group venues can submit case studies to journals where the format fits the scope.
Frequently asked questions
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Related reading and next steps
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- Journals list — Six peer-reviewed journals across disciplines
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Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org