If you're aiming to demonstrate understanding of a particular topic:
* Research paper/literature review: This method involves synthesizing existing research to provide a comprehensive overview of a topic. This is a good alternative if you need to demonstrate breadth of knowledge rather than in-depth understanding of a specific instance.
* Presentation/lecture: This allows you to present information in a more direct and structured way.
* Experiment/empirical study: This approach involves designing and conducting an experiment to test a hypothesis. This is appropriate if you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
If you're aiming to analyze a specific situation/problem:
* Simulation: This involves creating a model of a real-world situation to test different strategies or outcomes.
* Scenario planning: This involves developing different potential scenarios and analyzing their implications.
* Statistical analysis of data: This involves using statistical methods to analyze a larger dataset to identify trends and patterns.
If you're aiming to showcase practical skills/experience:
* Portfolio of work: This showcases tangible examples of your skills and accomplishments.
* Project report: This documents the process and results of a project you've undertaken.
In short, the "alternative" to a case study depends entirely on the context. Consider what the case study is intended to achieve, and then choose the method that best fulfills that objective.