Case Reports in Pediatric Psychology: Uses and Guidelines for Authors and Reviewers

Abstract

Described uses of case reports in pediatric psychology and guidelines for authors and reviewers. Case reports have several important functions: to document the efficacy of new treatment applications, describe interesting new clinical phenomena, to develop hypotheses, to illustrate methodological issues, difficult diagnostic issues, or novel treatment approaches, and to identify unmet clinical and research needs. Authors should carefully document the scientific purpose and clarify the new information contributed by their reports, provide evidence for their conclusions, and articulate clinical, theoretical, and/or research implications.