The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) is a qualitative research method used to collect data about people’s experiences, behaviors, and beliefs in specific situations. It is a widely used and accepted method for gathering data from a variety of sources, including surveys, interviews, and observations. CIT involves the collection of detailed descriptions of events or experiences that are of particular importance to the study’s participants. It is useful in helping researchers gain insight into the experiences of individuals in specific contexts and situations, and to identify patterns in their behavior and beliefs.
The CIT was developed in the 1940s by psychologist J.P. Guilford and his colleague E.L. Thorndike. They sought to obtain data about the behaviors and experiences of individuals in specific settings. To do this, they developed a method for collecting detailed descriptions of “critical incidents”: moments or events that are perceived to be significant to the individual or situation being studied. The incidents were then analyzed using the CIT method to identify patterns, trends, and individual experiences.
The CIT is based on the assumption that individuals are better able to recall and describe moments or events that are perceived as significant, rather than everyday or mundane activities. This is because those experiences are more likely to be remembered and are more likely to be meaningful to the individual. In addition, the CIT is useful in identifying patterns in the responses of individuals to similar situations, providing insight into how individuals make decisions and behave in similar contexts.
The CIT is often used in a variety of research settings, from psychology and education to business and marketing. For example, it has been used to understand how students learn mathematics, how people respond to advertising campaigns, and the impact of customer service experiences on consumer loyalty. It can also be used to investigate the impact of social media on mental health, the effectiveness of management techniques in the workplace, and the impact of policy changes on public opinion.
In order to use the CIT, researchers must first identify the critical incidents they wish to study. They must then collect data from the participants by asking them to recall the incident and provide detailed descriptions of their experiences. This data can then be analyzed using a variety of methods, such as coding and content analysis, in order to identify patterns in the responses.
Overall, the Critical Incident Technique is a useful qualitative research method for gathering data about the experiences, behaviors, and beliefs of individuals in specific contexts. It is a widely accepted and used method that provides valuable insight into the experiences of participants, and can help to identify patterns in their behavior and beliefs.
References
Guilford, J.P., & Thorndike, E.L. (1949). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 46(4), 327-358.
Rudd, R. (2010). A critical incident technique for evaluating learning in mathematics. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 8(2), 229-244.
Kumar, B., & Kumar, S. (2019). Critical incident technique in advertising research. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 7(11), 75-81.
Kaur, J., & Kaur, A. (2020). A critical incident technique to investigate impact of social media on mental health. International Journal of Advanced Research, 8(2), 568-578.
Tod, M., & Bowers, K. (2021). Using the critical incident technique to understand the effectiveness of management techniques in the workplace. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 3(2), 81-95.