Critical Incident Technique (CIT) is great for gathering real, impactful experiences in work environments, but when those incidents involve sensitive, ethical, or private matters, things get tricky. Here’s how you can navigate this dilemma:
✅ 1. Ensure Anonymity and Confidentiality
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Assure participants that their responses will be kept anonymous. Remove or mask names, locations, or specific details that can reveal identities.
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Use coded identifiers instead of personal names when reporting incidents.
✅ 2. Use Indirect Questioning
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Instead of asking “Have you ever…?”, rephrase to “Have you observed or heard of…”
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This allows participants to discuss incidents they've witnessed without feeling personally exposed.
Example:
Direct: “Tell me about a time you made an ethical mistake at work.”
Indirect: “Can you describe a situation where someone handled an ethical dilemma—well or poorly?”
✅ 3. Offer Hypothetical Prompts or Vignettes
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Present a fictional scenario and ask how they would respond or what they think about it.
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This helps them talk about real thoughts/feelings without disclosing personal experiences.
✅ 4. Create Psychological Safety
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Build rapport and trust before jumping into sensitive topics.
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Let participants skip questions or withdraw at any time without consequence.
✅ 5. Use Written or Anonymous Submission Options
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Allow participants to submit their incidents in writing, anonymously if needed.
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This reduces the discomfort that might come from face-to-face interviews.
✅ 6. Use Third-party Narratives
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Let participants describe incidents that happened to “a colleague” or “in their team.”
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This keeps the discussion professional, not personal.
✅ 7. Get Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
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Clearly outline potential risks and protections in your research ethics documentation.
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Ensure informed consent includes disclosure of how data will be used, stored, and anonymized.
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