Versatility and flexibility: attributes of the Critical Incident Technique in nursing research

This article explores the value of using the Critical Incident Technique to capture qualitative data relating to nurses' experiences in three diverse clinical contexts: (i) neonatal intensive care; (ii) palliative care; and (iii) care of the demented elderly. It is suggested that this technique enables the researcher to capture the reality of contemporary nursing practise, and nurses' experiences of that practise. It is also suggested that the versatility and flexibility of the Critical Incident Technique reveals the subtleties and complexities in nurses' experiences of practising nursing in diverse contexts, thereby promoting a deeper understanding of meanings underpinning this practise.