PSYCLOPS - AN EXPLORATORY GRAPHICAL SYSTEM FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

WE present Psyclops, an interactive computer graphic system designed t o help address a growing information dilemma in the examination of ind ividual psychiatric cases. Ever more information is needed to better u nderstand conscious experience, interpersonal behavior, and the format ion of psychiatric signs and symptoms, yet the information load alread y exceeds our usual methods of handling it. Psyclops consists of a sui te of software modules, manual sections, and standards that have been developed according to guiding concepts intended to help one collect, organize, access, and explore complex data about a single subject for research, education, and ultimately, clinical care purposes. This docu ment provides background in clinical information science and a descrip tion of the system; the reader interested in its application in clinic al research theory development is referred to the companion paper in t his issue (Horowitz et al., Pathological Grief: An Intensive Case Stud y).