Fear and Anxiety 2: Simultaneous Concept Analysis
Simultaneous concept analysis (SCA), a method for analysis of similar concepts, was initiated by
Haase and associates (1992), based on the concept analysis approach developed by Wilson (1969) and
advanced by Walker and Avant (1995). For a full discussion of this method, the reader is referred
to Haase et al. and to Haase, Leidy, Coward, Britt, and Penn (1993). In brief, the method is a
three-step process whereby concepts of interest are clari fied simultaneously by a consensus
group.
Initially, the consensus group, composed of individu
als with expertise in the content area, conducts a separate analysis of each concept.
Characteristics (a theoretical definition, critical attributes, antecedents, and outcomes) are
derived for each concept by relevant experts. Group members then critique and debate each analysis
sepa rately until consensus is achieved. In the next step, results of each analysis are compiled
into a grid where concept labels form the horizontal axis, and characteris tics of each concept
are listed below their respective labels. This grid, termed a validity matrix, is a means of
displaying characteristics of all concepts and identifying those common to one or more concepts.