Debra

Please do not work on this assignment at home. Wait until I give you instructions in class during my presentation on Thursday. Thank you.

**Memo 2 Example of a Memo That Identifies/Develops** **the Properties and Dimensions of Concepts/Categories** **April 4, 1997** **The Pain Experience** Taking off from the above memo (please refer to the memo 1 on page 130) we can hypothesize that pain can vary dimen- sionally in “intensity” from “severe to mild,” that it can be “located” anywhere in the body and in more than one place at the same time, and that it can “last”

(duration) a short or long time that is be continuous, intermittent, and temporary over the course of time. This gives me a range of dimensions, all of which enter into the “pain experience.” Also with this type of pain and for some persons, it is possible to “obtain relief” under certain conditions, so that “pain relief” can vary from “possible” to “impossible,” be “temporary” or “permanent” depend- ing upon the person, the type or cause of pain, and a person’s response to it. To make it more complicated, it seems that “perception” of pain or the “pain expe- rience” can vary depending upon many factors or conditions such as “location” of pain in the body—some areas being more sensitive than others, “degree of activity” one engages in, “time of day,” and even “odd things” like weather. Finally there is the property of “duration” of the pain. Duration can vary dimen- sionally as “continuous,” “intermittent,” or “temporary.” In the above case, one might say that the pain is “intermittent.” But how do all the various dimensions or variations along the properties of pain enter into the “pain experience”? Also, I have another question: what is the meaning of pain to this person? Hmm. The “subjective experience” of pain incorporates many factors and it is up to me to tease all of these out of the data. Other factors that might influence the pain experience but that are not brought out in this particular field note are “pain history” and both present and previous experiences with “pain relief,” and also if one believes that relief is possible in the future. Oh my! Pain relief and treat- ment are big areas that I’ve not yet explored but will have to before this study is over. As I continue to collect data and analyze the interviews I’ll be looking for data about these areas. (End of memo.)