The Case Research Journal(CRJ) publishes outstanding teaching cases drawn from research in real organizations, dealing with important issues in all administration-related disciplines. The CRJ specializes in decision-focused cases based on original primary research (e.g., interviews with key decision-makers in the organization; interviews with stakeholders impacted by an organizational decision, issue, or problem; participant observation; review of primary materials, such as legal proceedings, congressional testimony, or internal company or stakeholder documents) supplemented by appropriate secondary research (e.g., journalist accounts). Exceptional cases that are analytical or descriptive rather than decision-focused will be considered when a decision focus is not practicable.  Cases based entirely on secondary sources will be considered only in unusual circumstances.

The Journal also publishes articles concerning case research, case writing or case teaching.

Previously published cases or articles (except those appearing in Proceedings or workshop presentations) are not eligible for consideration. The Journal does not accept fictional works or composite cases synthesized from author experience.

Multi-media cases or case supplements will be accepted for review. Contact the journal editor for instructions.

Instructor's Manual

Cases must be accompanied by a comprehensive Instructor’s Manual (Teaching Note) that includes at least the following elements:

1. A brief (one-page maximum) synopsis of the case.
2. Identification of the intended course(s) and levels, including the case’s position within the course, the topics it covers, and its specific learning objectives. Authors should identify any associated readings or theoretical material that instructors might assign to students or draw on to relate the case to their field or to the course.
3. Suggested teaching approaches or a teaching plan, including the expected flow of discussion and key questions, role plays, debates, use of audiovisuals or in-class handouts, a board plan, etc. Authors are strongly encouraged to classroom test a case before submission so that experience in teaching the case can be discussed in the IM.
4. Assignment questions for student preparation, accompanied by a full analysis of each question that demonstrates application of relevant theory to the case. Authors should highlight analytic points that might be noticed only by the best students—points that might differentiate an "A" grade on a written assignment.
5. A Research Methods section that discloses the research basis for gathering the case information, including any relationship between case authors and the organization, or how access to case data was obtained. Include any disguises imposed and their extent. Authors should disclose the relationship between this case and any other cases published about this organization by these authors without revealing the authors’ identity during the review process.
6. If appropriate, an epilogue or follow-up information about the decision actually made.

Review process

All manuscripts (both the case and the instructor’s manual) are double-blind refereed by Editorial Board members and ad hoc reviewers in the appropriate discipline. Most submissions require at least one round of revision before acceptance. Our target time frame from submission to author feedback for each version is 60 days.

The right to reproduce a case in a commercially available textbook, or instructor-created course pack, is reserved to NACRA and the authors, who share copyright for these purposes. After publication, CRJ cases are distributed through NACRA’s distribution partners according to non-exclusive contracts.NACRA charges royalty fees for these publication rights and case adoptions in order to fund its continuing faculty development programs. Royalties paid are split 50/50 between NACRA and member authors.

Case Format

Cases and articles submitted for review may be single- or double-spaced. All cases should be written in the past tense except for quotations.

Figures and tables essential to student understanding of the case content should be embedded in the text and numbered separately. Exhibits should be grouped at the end of the case. Each exhibit should have a number and title as well as a source.  Wherever possible, citations should be embedded in the text as end notes, with bibliographic information restricted to a "Reference List" at the end of the case in APA format. The following notice should appear at the bottom of the first page of the manuscript:

Review copy for use of the Case Research Journal. Not for reproduction or distribution. Dated (date of submission).

Acknowledgements can be included in a footnote after the case is accepted for publication.

Include the following paragraph at the beginning or end of the submission.

In submitting this case to the Case Research Journal for widespread distribution in print and electronic media, I (we) certify that it is original work, based on real events in a real organization. It has not been published and is not under review elsewhere. Copyright holders have given written permission for the use of any material not permitted by the "Fair Use Doctrine." The host organization has assigned a release authorizing the publication of all information gathered with understandings of confidentiality.

Submit the case manuscript and Instructor’s Manual in one Microsoft Word document via the NACRA Automated Case Submission and Review System (ACSARS): http://www.nacra.net/members.No author identification should appear on either the case or the Instructor’s Manual.

At least one author must be a member of the North American Case Research Association. Membership dues are included in annual registration for the NACRA conference, or may be paid separately at the rate of U.S. $50 per year. See instructions on the above site.

For questions, contact the Editor:
Deborah Ettington
dettington@nacra.net