Scientific approach provides practical uses

Flanagan, J. (1954).The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51(4).
Retrieved September 19, 2009, from http://www.apa.org/psycinfo/special/cit-article.pdf

This research-based journal article focuses on a method named the critical incident technique. The main titles refer to background and early developmental studies at the American Institute for Research, studies carried out at the University of Pittsburgh, the procedure in its present form, and uses of the critical incident technique, summary and conclusions. The article is intended for researchers in areas of psychology.
Flanagan (1954) observes “that critical incidents represent only raw data and do not automatically provide solutions to problems” (para.3). However, research findings conclude that they can solve problems in almost any field.
In conclusion, the author proposes that this method, based on empirical observation of negative events, is a flexible tool that can fit any situation in particular, thus allowing all-purpose applications.