Doing Q Methodological Research : Theory, Method and Interpretation

The book has been written to provide a simple yet thorough-going introduction to Q methodology; a research technique designed to capture the subjective or first-person viewpoints of its participants. Beginning with the origins of Q methodology in factor analysis, Watts & Stenner outline the key theoretical concepts developed by William Stephenson, the founder of Q methodology, including subjectivity, concourse theory, and abduction. The book then turns to the practicalities of delivering high quality Q methodological research. Using worked examples throughout, the reader is guided through important design issues, the conduct of fieldwork and all the important analytic processes of Q methodology, including factor extraction, factor rotation and factor interpretation. Drawing on a series of helpful conceptual introductions to potentially difficult statistical concepts and a step-by-step guide to running Q methodological analyses using dedicated software, the main purpose of the book is to enable interested readers to design, manage, analyse, interpret and publish their own Q methodological research.