In which method an account of incidents of past and present life is prepared?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3: Case study method

The Case Study Method is a qualitative research approach that involves an in-depth, holistic, and detailed investigation of a single individual, group, institution, or phenomenon over a specified period. The core characteristic that makes this option correct is the intense focus on gathering extensive biographical and descriptive data, which precisely forms the "account of incidents of past and present life." In this method, the researcher systematically collects data from multiple sources, including life histories, interviews with the subject and associates, personal documents, and institutional records, to construct a narrative or a comprehensive dossier. This historical account of major life events, formative experiences, and current behaviors provides the necessary context to understand the causes, underlying processes, and unique development of the subject under study. Therefore, the preparation of a complete account of past and present life incidents is the defining procedure for creating a case study document.

The incorrect option is 1: Socio-metric method

The Socio-metric method, pioneered by J.L. Moreno, is primarily a quantitative technique focused on measuring the social relationships and patterns of choice and rejection among members of a group. Its purpose is to map out the structure of a group, identifying leaders, isolates, and cliques by asking members to nominate or rate peers for specific social activities. It yields a sociogram (a visual map) or a sociometric matrix, which reveals the social standing of an individual at a specific moment. This method is concerned with current interpersonal dynamics and preferences, and it does not involve the compilation of a detailed, longitudinal account of an individual’s entire past and present life history.

The incorrect option is 2: Clinical method

While the Clinical Method often involves the preparation of a case history, it is an *applied* procedure with a specific goal, making it conceptually distinct from the broader research method asked in the question. The Clinical method is predominantly used by psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors for diagnosis, treatment, and therapy in a therapeutic or medical setting. The primary objective is to help resolve a psychological, social, or physical problem for the client. The detailed history (an account of past and present incidents) is collected *as a tool* to guide the intervention, rather than being the *end product* of a general research investigation. Therefore, the Case Study method is the more accurate term for the general preparation of an individual's life account for research purposes.

The incorrect option is 4: Projective technique

Projective techniques are tools used to explore a person’s unconscious motivations, hidden emotions, and deep-seated conflicts by presenting them with ambiguous, unstructured stimuli. The famous Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) are prime examples. The subject’s responses—their interpretation of the inkblot or their story about the picture—are believed to be a "projection" of their inner self. The goal is to obtain qualitative, deep-seated personality insights, not to systematically compile a chronological, factual account of their life’s incidents, as is the objective of the Case Study method.