Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 1995, page 8
(e.g., “If there‟s anything you‟ve said that you‟d like to change or omit or correct ...”).
6. In closing the interview, repeat assurances to the participant that privacy and control of
personal information will be respected. To put the matter another way, the researcher may
assure the participant that all data (e.g., test results, recorded statements) “belong” to him.
In reviewing them afterward, the participant may wish to withdraw or revise them. On
occasion an interview may open an emotional wound (e.g., trigger painful remembrances of
the group experience). Provide in advance referrals to exit counselors or mental health
professionals who are informed about cult-related issues. Protect participants from harmful
aftereffects by assuring them of your attention (e.g., “Don‟t hesitate to call me if questions
about our conversation today come to mind later on.”).
7. Finally, in all aspects of the clinical case study, be professional, yet relaxed, human,
honest, and authentic. In short, be yourself. Remember, most likely interviewees with cult
experiences have been abused by phonies and manipulators. In my opinion, a rigid,
stereotyped format (which can be applied when appropriate through survey methodology) is
unsuitable for the clinical interview. You are collecting and reporting a true story in your
own best way nevertheless, your methodology should be clear, valid, and replicable. Be a
vehicle for participants to tell about their experiences as they experienced them. An
important question to ask yourself: would a second interviewer be likely to obtain a similar
story from the participant?
Analyzing the Data
1. Before initiating a series of clinical case studies, conduct a pilot study. Test out your
methods for interviewing, data collection, and data analysis with one or more participants
similar to those you plan to study. A pilot study will help weed out errors and provides
practice for the main event. If you plan to aggregate the data --that is, use two or more
participants --data collection (including methods of interviewing and the topics covered)
and data analyses should be consistent throughout.
2. The coding of written materials is a research skill developed through training and
practice. Refer to a research consultant if you have never done this step. Essential concepts
are coder congruence (reliability), simplicity, appropriate theory (with controversy among
specialists about the merits of an atheoretical vs. a theory-based system of classifying
material), replicability, category independence, and validity. For example, if a participant
cites an instance of abuse or criminal activity by the group, can the statements be verified?
Although some investigators prefer to operate at a high level of abstraction (perhaps using
psychological or psychiatric terms such as aggression, dependence, borderline), I prefer
simple, concrete, low-level categories and ample use of participants‟ direct quotations.
3. In building a clinical case study, be alert for supporting documents: letters, journals,
diaries, videotapes, bank books, photographs, secret messages prepared by the leader for
his followers. Participants may be willing to give you such materials or to permit
photocopying.
4. Most mental health professionals have excellent skills in report preparation. As in a
clinical report prepared for a court, school, agency, or other institution, begin with the
location, circumstances, dates, and your professional title. Include observations of the
participant‟s behavior during the interview (see the suggested topic outline in the following
section.) Don‟t hesitate to interpret, speculate, comment, and recommend, but make it
clear when you are offering subjective or professional opinions. Use evidence such as
observations and participant quotations to support your statements (e.g., “Mrs. X appeared
extremely agitated as she told about life in the group. Her hands trembled as she began to
cry, saying, „The leader seduced me, saying it was God‟s will.‟”). Unless obvious, the report
should include the key questions that were asked. A direct style--first-person singular,
(e.g., “If there‟s anything you‟ve said that you‟d like to change or omit or correct ...”).
6. In closing the interview, repeat assurances to the participant that privacy and control of
personal information will be respected. To put the matter another way, the researcher may
assure the participant that all data (e.g., test results, recorded statements) “belong” to him.
In reviewing them afterward, the participant may wish to withdraw or revise them. On
occasion an interview may open an emotional wound (e.g., trigger painful remembrances of
the group experience). Provide in advance referrals to exit counselors or mental health
professionals who are informed about cult-related issues. Protect participants from harmful
aftereffects by assuring them of your attention (e.g., “Don‟t hesitate to call me if questions
about our conversation today come to mind later on.”).
7. Finally, in all aspects of the clinical case study, be professional, yet relaxed, human,
honest, and authentic. In short, be yourself. Remember, most likely interviewees with cult
experiences have been abused by phonies and manipulators. In my opinion, a rigid,
stereotyped format (which can be applied when appropriate through survey methodology) is
unsuitable for the clinical interview. You are collecting and reporting a true story in your
own best way nevertheless, your methodology should be clear, valid, and replicable. Be a
vehicle for participants to tell about their experiences as they experienced them. An
important question to ask yourself: would a second interviewer be likely to obtain a similar
story from the participant?
Analyzing the Data
1. Before initiating a series of clinical case studies, conduct a pilot study. Test out your
methods for interviewing, data collection, and data analysis with one or more participants
similar to those you plan to study. A pilot study will help weed out errors and provides
practice for the main event. If you plan to aggregate the data --that is, use two or more
participants --data collection (including methods of interviewing and the topics covered)
and data analyses should be consistent throughout.
2. The coding of written materials is a research skill developed through training and
practice. Refer to a research consultant if you have never done this step. Essential concepts
are coder congruence (reliability), simplicity, appropriate theory (with controversy among
specialists about the merits of an atheoretical vs. a theory-based system of classifying
material), replicability, category independence, and validity. For example, if a participant
cites an instance of abuse or criminal activity by the group, can the statements be verified?
Although some investigators prefer to operate at a high level of abstraction (perhaps using
psychological or psychiatric terms such as aggression, dependence, borderline), I prefer
simple, concrete, low-level categories and ample use of participants‟ direct quotations.
3. In building a clinical case study, be alert for supporting documents: letters, journals,
diaries, videotapes, bank books, photographs, secret messages prepared by the leader for
his followers. Participants may be willing to give you such materials or to permit
photocopying.
4. Most mental health professionals have excellent skills in report preparation. As in a
clinical report prepared for a court, school, agency, or other institution, begin with the
location, circumstances, dates, and your professional title. Include observations of the
participant‟s behavior during the interview (see the suggested topic outline in the following
section.) Don‟t hesitate to interpret, speculate, comment, and recommend, but make it
clear when you are offering subjective or professional opinions. Use evidence such as
observations and participant quotations to support your statements (e.g., “Mrs. X appeared
extremely agitated as she told about life in the group. Her hands trembled as she began to
cry, saying, „The leader seduced me, saying it was God‟s will.‟”). Unless obvious, the report
should include the key questions that were asked. A direct style--first-person singular,
