Academic contributions to psychological counselling. 2. Discourse analysis and the formulation of case-reports

Abstract

The composition of psychological case-reports can be studied in terms of discourse analysis. This examines the rhetorical features of reports and contributes to the work of critical evaluation and constructive revision. The coherence of case-reports is dealt with mainly in terms of substantive logic, which consists in identifying and interrelating the component statements of one or more arguments used to explain a case. Practical suggestions are made about analysing arguments with the help of a word processor. Local cohesion in normal linear test also affects comprehension; diagrams and hypertext are mentioned. Factors affecting the production of a case-report include the reporter's expertise and the difficulty of the task. The reporter's understanding of, and ability to deal with, a case are likely to be modified in the process of reflecting on and revising a report. Preparing a case-report is an exercise in problem-solving. Such exercises can be used in training-a tutorial outline is provided together with a framework for the layout of case-reports at a scientific and professional level.