Using the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique in Counselling Psychology Research

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ABSTRACT

This article describes an effective approach to using the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT) research method based on Flanagan's (1954) Critical Incident Technique (CIT). It begins with an overview of the CIT, how to decide if it is the appropriate methodology to use, then, using a recent CIT study as an example, discusses Flanagan's five steps for conducting a CIT study: (a) determining the activity's aim; (b) setting plans, specifications, and criteria for the information to be obtained; (c) collecting data; (d) analyzing the data; and (e) reporting the findings. Nine credibility checks, developed to increase the rigour and credibility of the ECIT, are described.

RÉSUMÉ

Le présent article décrit une méthodologie efficace pour utiliser la méthode de recherche de la technique améliorée des incidents critiques, Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT), basée sur la technique des incidents critiques, Critical Incident Technique (CIT) de Flanagan (1954). L'article commence par un survol de la CIT, puis passe à une détermination de l'adaptation de cette méthodologie. Ensuite, se servant d'une étude CIT récente comme exemple, l'article discute des cinq étapes décrites par Flanagan pour mener une étude de CIT: (a) déterminer l'objectif de l'activité; (b) établir des plans, specifications, et critères relatifs à l'information à obtenir; (c) collecter les données; (d) analyser les données; et (e) communiquer les conclusions. Neuf vérifications de crédibilité, élaborées pour augmenter la rigueur et la crédibilité de la ECIT, sont décrites.

This article chronicles the steps and processes involved in applying the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT) research method (Butterfield, Borgen, Amundson, & Maglio, 2005) and provides examples from a recent research study that utilized the ECIT Our aim is to respond to requests from students and researchers considering utilizing this qualitative research method for details on how to use the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) by providing a detailed, practical guide based on our own experience using the method.

Readers who are unfamiliar with the CIT will find detailed descriptions as follows:

1. Flanagan (1954) on the origin and initial uses of this research method.

2. Woolsey (1986) for its applicability to counselling psychology.

3. Andersson and Nilsson (1964) and Ronan and Latham (1974) on the method's reliability and validity.

4. Butterfield et al. (2005) for the CITs place in...