An Introduction to Q methodology

1
An Introduction to Q methodology

• Dr Simon Watts,
• Division of Psychology,
• Nottingham Trent University.
• E-Mail simon.watts_at_ntu.ac.uk

2
History Quantitative Inspiration

• The basic principles of a Q methodology were
  first laid out by William Stephenson in 1935/6
• Its quantitative inspiration involves a simple
  twist on the conventional factor analytic
  technique
• Factor analysis...is concerned with a population
  of n individuals each of whom has been measured
  in m tests or other instruments or estimates. The
  (m)(m-1)/2 correlations for these m variables are
  subjected to...factor analysis. But this
  techniquecan also be inverted. We may concern
  ourselves with a population of N different tests
  (or other items), each of which is measured or
  scaled relatively, by M individuals. The
  (M)(M-1)/2 correlations again can be factorised
  by appropriate theorems (Stephenson, 1936a
  344-5).

3
A Change of Data an Altered End-Product

• In the first case, the participant is subjected
  to a process of objective testing or measurement
  carried out from a third-person perspective (in
  relation to a particular set of variables)
• Factor analysis of these absolute measurements is
  conducted by-variable or test and the resultant
  factors identify groups of associated variables
• In the second case, the participant engages in a
  process of subjective ranking or evaluation
  carried out from a first-person perspective (in
  relation to the same set of variables?)
• Factor analysis of these relative evaluations is
  conducted by-person or ranking pattern and the
  resultant factors identify groups of associated
  persons

4
A World of Possibilities

• Almost any sample or set of stimulus materials
  can be evaluated from this subjective or
  first-person perspective
• Stephenson experimented using personality
  variables, vases, and even smells!
• All can be rank ordered according to their
  psychological significance for a given person
• It is now most often a set of statements about
  a given topic that are employed as stimulus
  materials
• I ask my participants What is Partnership Love?
• I provide them with a set of statements (usually
  40-60) each of which offers a possible response
  to that question
• They rank order or sort them in relation to their
  own experiences
• See Watts Stenner 2005a (reference on handout)

5
Carrying out a Q Study What will I need?

• A simple and coherent research question
• A set of stimulus items, words, statements (a Q
  set) that your participants can respond to in
  relation to that question
• This is best considered as a sampling task
• It takes time to get right (focus groups,
  piloting?)
• Can be supported (during the study) by the
  effective gathering of additional qualitative
  information
• Will be supported by your participants effort
  after meaning
• A standardized means of collecting your
  participants (N30/60?) evaluations
• A Q sort (usually employing a fixed quasi-normal
  distribution)

6
An Example Q sort Distribution
7
Carrying out a Q Study What will I need?

• A means of carrying out the factor analysis
  (extraction rotation) of the Q sort data
• PQ Method is available as a free download
  (address provided on handout). PCQ for Windows is
  much better (but it costs!)
• It isnt easy - there are an infinity of possible
  solutions!
• The wherewithal to interpret your factors
• A dedicated Q package creates a factor
  representation (effectively a single
  factor-exemplifying Q sort) for each of your
  factors
• This is based on a weighted averaging of the
  individual Q sorts that load significantly on a
  given factor
• You interpret the meaning of the factor (the
  distinct story it is telling) using this Q sort,
  supported by relevant participant comments

8
The End Product?

• In most cases, somewhere between 3-8 distinct
  (but socially shared) responses/answers to your
  research question
• Watts Stenner (2005a), for example, offers us 8
  distinct views of partnership love
• The views/understandings/attitudes/opinionation
  revealed can all be interpreted to a high level
  of qualitative detail
• In psychology particularly, Q methodology is
  ordinarily employed by qualitative rather than
  quantitative researchers
• It is seen as a structured, macroscopic, and
  holistic complement to the less structured, more
  microscopic, and thematically oriented
  qualitative methods which predominate within the
  discipline

9
Some Direct Help? (simon.watts_at_ntu.ac.uk)

• On the quantitative principles
• Watts, S. Stenner, P. (In Press). Q
  methodology The inverted factor technique. Irish
  Journal of Psychology.
• On getting the job done
• Stenner, P., Watts, S., Worrell, M. (2007). Q
  methodology. In Stainton Rogers, W. Willig, C.
  (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research methods.
  London Sage.
• Watts, S. Stenner, P. (2005b). Doing Q
  methodology Theory, method, and interpretation.
  Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2, 67-91.
• A list of other useful get me started
  references, websites, and resources is provided