Client Research Case Study: The Daily Grind Cafe
A self-paced 10th-grade case study packet in which students take on a fictional cafe owner's customer retention problem, then move through framing a research question, identifying needed information, choosing data sources, and predicting useful evidence, with a built-in look at qualitative versus quantitative data. Designed to be completed independently in a 45-minute class period, with the emphasis on student application at each decision point.
“I need a student packet with an assignment that students can work through/on without me. The focus should be on Client Research Case Study - Give students a fictional client + problem + short reading about the business. Students work through the entire process: work with a stakeholder's problem that has already been given to them → create a research question → determine needed information → choose data sources → predict what evidence would be useful. it may be useful for them to also work on qualitative vs. quantitative data. they should be able to complete the packet in a 45 minute class period so focus on student application being at the highest leverage points.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use as an independent 45-minute block, with students reading the client profile first (about 5 minutes) and then working through the research steps; circulate to check the research question before they move on to data sources.
- Discussion question: Why might a cafe with high foot traffic still have declining retention, and what would you need to know to tell whether the problem is the product, the experience, or the rewards program?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide a short list of example research questions (one strong, one too broad, one too narrow) and have them sort the examples before writing their own, and pre-highlight the key business terms like churn rate and foot traffic.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to design a mixed-methods plan that pairs at least one quantitative measure (such as repeat visit rates from loyalty app data) with one qualitative source (such as customer interviews), and explain how each would change their conclusion.
- Estimated time: About 45 minutes total, with roughly 5 minutes for reading the profile, 30 minutes for the research steps, and 10 minutes for the qualitative versus quantitative reflection.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“I need a student packet with an assignment that students can work through/on without me. The focus should be on Client Research Case Study - Give students a fictional client + problem + short reading about the business. Students work through the entire process: work with a stakeholder's problem that has already been given to them → create a research question → determine needed information → choose data sources → predict what evidence would be useful. it may be useful for them to also work on qualitative vs. quantitative data. they should be able to complete the packet in a 45 minute class period so focus on student application being at the highest leverage points.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use as an independent 45-minute block, with students reading the client profile first (about 5 minutes) and then working through the research steps; circulate to check the research question before they move on to data sources.
- Discussion question: Why might a cafe with high foot traffic still have declining retention, and what would you need to know to tell whether the problem is the product, the experience, or the rewards program?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide a short list of example research questions (one strong, one too broad, one too narrow) and have them sort the examples before writing their own, and pre-highlight the key business terms like churn rate and foot traffic.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to design a mixed-methods plan that pairs at least one quantitative measure (such as repeat visit rates from loyalty app data) with one qualitative source (such as customer interviews), and explain how each would change their conclusion.
- Estimated time: About 45 minutes total, with roughly 5 minutes for reading the profile, 30 minutes for the research steps, and 10 minutes for the qualitative versus quantitative reflection.
Client Research Case Study: The Daily Grind Cafe
A self-paced 10th-grade case study packet in which students take on a fictional cafe owner's customer retention problem, then move through framing a research question, identifying needed information, choosing data sources, and predicting useful evidence, with a built-in look at qualitative versus quantitative data. Designed to be completed independently in a 45-minute class period, with the emphasis on student application at each decision point.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free