Leveraging Critical Incident Technique in Phenomenographic Research

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Leveraging and Unstructuring Techniques and Analysis in Qualitative Research

Abstract

This paper suggests that use of critical incident technique (CIT) with phenomenography addresses the following methodological concerns: a) practicality of research findings informing conceptual change, b) theoretical saturation, and c) validity. CIT is a method that captures participants’ descriptions of memorable moments. We used CIT to encourage participants to reflect on previously held conceptions about a phenomenon and articulate moments that have contributed to a change in their conception. Our insights were gained by incorporating critical incident questions in our data collection for three separate phenomenographic studies. By leveraging CIT, we were able to reach theoretical saturation and systematically identify factors that promote conceptual change. We also argue that our use of CIT strengthened the internal validity of our data.

Authors

• Nicole Ashley Suarez, University of California - San Diego

• Stanley M. Lo, University of California - San Diego