- The critical incident technique can be used as the basis of a questionnaire or interview
- It has been extensively used in health library and knowledge service (LKS) impact studies
Using the technique
- Users provide details of a specific instance or use of a service
- They then answer questions relating to the instance or use
- In this way LKS staff collect details of specific rather than general impacts
Example of the technique
It has been used to collect data on how information from a literature search was used.
For example, “We recently sent you information on the use of honey for preventing infection post-surgery. May I ask how you have used this information?”
The information could be provided in a descriptive manner. Alternatively you could use specific outcome measures, for example:
Did you use the information for:
a) a particular patient?
b) service planning?
c) developing clinical guidelines?
Other uses of the technique
This approach is used for
Further information
Yeoman , A , Cooper , J , Armstrong , C , Fenton , R , Lonsdale , R , Spink , S , Urquhart , C , Thomas , R , Barker , A & Light , A (2003). Critical incident technique and explicitation interviewing in studies of information behaviour. Library and Information Science Research, 25(1): 63-88. , 10.1016/S0740-8188(02)00166-4 https://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/handle/2160/170