Flanagan, J. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51-4. Retrieved October 23rd, 2009, from http://www.apa.org/psycinfo/special/cit-article.pdf
Flanagan (1954) describes the critical incident technique (CIT), a research method developed during World War II. The six subheadings of his article deal with the most important topics: the development, fundamental principles, present status, and uses of the CIT as well as a review of studies employing the technique and suggestions for further applications. The CIT is considered as a flexible method that involves certain procedures for the collection and analysis of specific behaviours “in such a way as to facilitate their potential usefulness in solving practical problems and developing broad psychological principles” (Flanagan, 1954, para.2). Though written fifty-five years ago, this in-depth article describes an effective technique which can collect factual incidents that can help teachers and other professionals apply their professional judgment to reflect on their practices.