Figure 2: Case Screen with Factors/Issues Displayed

Factors relevant to the current scene

Figure 2 above now shows the case screen after the user has clicked the 'Show Factors/Issues' button. The right frame of the screen contains a list box (10) of factors selected for having particular significance to the current scene.  (This is not meant to imply that the factors excluded from the list are irrelevant.) For the current example (scene 6 of case Kayla), there are three such factors:  "Domestic Violence", "Parent Abused as a Child", and "Service Providers." 

Each of the factors in this list is linked to two types of commentary: (a) a default issue, provided by the system authors, and (b) issues added by individual registered users of the CARA web site.  For both types of commentary, the focus is on exploring and understanding the factor's relevance with respect to the current scene. The default commentary is presented either as statements or questions or a combination of both, to provoke thinking. The user is not expected to "know" the answer to the questions being raised--the purpose they serve is to stimulate thinking. 

To view the issues for any factor, the user first selects the factor from the list, decides how many issues they wish to view (11) and clicks the 'Find Issues' button (12).  By default, the 10 most recently added user issues will be displayed.  The other options are to display the 20 most recently added, or all user issues.

Figure 3 below shows the case screen after a factor has been selected and its issues retrieved. The default commentary is displayed in a scrolling field (13). The right-hand frame scrolls to display all of the retrieved user comments (15).
 

VISITOR Perspective: If you choose to log on as a visitor, you will be in a "read-only" mode.  You will be able to view comments reflecting the expert view as well as views of other users about any of the factors relevant to the current scene.

REGISTERED USER Perspective: By logging on as a registered user, you will be able to (a) read the commentaries reflecting the opinions of the expert and of other users, and (b) add/edit comments for the factors accompanying the current case and scene. If as a user you intend to add your own comment with respect to one or more factors, it is important to first read the existing comments (to avoid redundancy).   Figure 3 above shows the Add/Edit Issues button (14), indicating that a registered user is accessing the page.

If you have already added a comment to the current case/scene/factor, the comment will be displayed in the field.  You can make any needed changes and click the 'Submit New or Edited Issue' button.

Also, if a comment already existed, there would be a 'Delete' button.  To delete your comment, click the 'Delete' button and confirm the deletion.

After adding, editing, or deleting a comment, you will need to select the appropriate factor and click the 'Find Issues' button to view the updated listing of user comments.

The relationships between a case, scenes, factors and commentaries has led to the use of the following terms:

Case-Scene

The scene of a case in narrative form. Thus, 'Case-Scene 1 of Kayla' refers to scene 1 of the case of Kayla.

 

General Factors

The list of Assessment factors that are available for viewing from any case-scene.

 

General Factor Commentary

The commentary accompanying a general factor.
 

Scene-Specific factor

An assessment factor that is specifically related to that scene. Each scene has one or more of them.

 

Scene-Specific Factor Commentary

The commentary accompanying a scene-specific factor (also referred to as the issues for the factor).