Q-methodology Analysis Research Articles

Users' involvement in digital health collaborative projects

PurposeThis research analyzes the roles of users in innovative digital health collaborative projects from the perspective of the user by considering three dimensions: their motivation, project activities and the support of the partnership for their effective involvement.Design/methodology/approachThe authors unraveled profiles of users by using a Q-methodological analysis of 24 statements and 44 service users. The statements for the three dimensions were designed according to previous models of stakeholder identification and customer participation in new product management.FindingsThe authors obtained two profiles that advocate active participation of users, though with a different degree of involvement. One of them supports the role of users as “advisors” of users' preferences and needs, and the other indicates a higher involvement of users as “cocreators” of the innovation, with the same contribution and responsibility as the other partners.Originality/valuePrevious research has analyzed user involvement in digital health, as part of wider research on factors leading to the success and adoption of innovations. Moreover, previous research has analyzed user involvement in innovation projects, but without differentiating between projects carried out by an individual organization and those conducted by a partnership. This research contributes to filling this gap by revealing users' expectations about their involvement and how they think they will fit in with the dynamics of collaborative projects.

Impact of factor rotation on Q-methodology analysis.

The Varimax and manual rotations are commonly used for factor rotation in Q-methodology; however, their effects on the results may not be well known. In this article we investigate the impact of different factor rotation techniques in Q-methodology, specifically how the factors and their distinguishing statements might be affected. We applied three factor rotation techniques including Varimax, Equamax, and Quartimax rotations on two exemplary datasets and compared the results based on the number of Q-sorts loaded on each factor, number of distinguishing statements for each factor, and changes in the number of distinguishing statements. We also estimated the Pearson correlation between the extracted factors based on rotation techniques. This analysis shows that factors can change substantially from one rotation to another. For instance, there was only 3 common distinguishing statements between Factor 1 of no-rotation of Dataset 1 and its matched factor from Varimax rotation. Even for 3 common statements, the factor scores were quite different from no-rotation to Varimax rotation. This analysis shows that the effects of factor rotation on emerging factors are complex. The changes are usually substantial such that the rotated factors might be quite different from the original factors.

Readiness for interprofessional learning among health science students: a cross-sectional Q-methodology and likert-based study

BackgroundInterprofessional education (IPE) prepares healthcare students for collaboration in clinical practice, but the effectiveness of this teaching method depends on students’ readiness for and perceptions of IPE. Evaluating students’ readiness for and perceptions of IPE is challenging, due to the lack of comprehensive measures. This study characterized the level of IPE readiness and perspectives across first-year undergraduate and graduate health science students using the readiness for interprofessional learning Likert Scale (RIPLS) and Q-methodologies.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, online study. Students were randomized to answer the Likert-scale version of RIPLS (80%) or a matched Q-methodology survey (20%). An ANCOVA compared RIPLS scores between students from different program levels (graduate/undergraduate) and specialization (health professional and general programs). The Q-data was analysed using a by-person factor analysis.ResultsThree hundred and four (33% response rate) and 71 (30% response rate) students completed the Likert scale and the Q-methodology surveys, respectively. Students from graduate programs demonstrated high readiness for IPE (higher total RIPLS scores p < 0.001) in comparison to undergraduates. Three factors, associated with program specialization (p = 0.04), emerged from the Q-methodology analysis characterizing students learning priorities. Students in undergraduate general programs were focused on IPE relevance and benefits to “the clinical team”, students in graduate programs focused on “the patient”, and those in undergraduate health professional programs focused on themselves (“me”).ConclusionsThis novel mixed-methods approach combining traditional Likert-scales with Q-methodology elucidated not only associations between program and specialization with readiness (Likert) but also which components of IPE were valued the most (Q-methodology) and by whom.

The social imaginaries on governance through data: Q-methodological analysis of data professionals' views in the field of mobility

This study strives to contribute to the discussions on the increasing use of data in organisational settings within specific contexts like governance and control of spatial mobilities. Whereas legal, regulatory, and technical aspects are widely studied, there is less knowledge about public discourses on data, especially the data professionals' interpretations (re)constructing these understandings. This study conducted Q-methodological interviews among data professionals employed in the mobility domain in Estonia—a leading digital society—who work in public, private, and third-sector organisations. The findings show the emergence of four discourses on data: (I) data-based liberal internationalism and equal access; (II) integrative data activities through cooperation and disciplinary continuity; (III) (big)data self-reflections and organisational data culture; and (IV) data discrimination aware data practices and privacy protection. Thus, governance through data does not constitute a single imaginary future but creates various scenarios across the types of both data and mobility and the sector. We propose that governance through data emerges in these discourses not only as ‘enculturation’, where data are seen as an ultimate medium of knowledge, but as ‘acculturation’—critically self-reflexive learning through data as a form of change in organisations and among data professionals.

교육의 사회적 책임(ESR) 인식 유형 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of education for social responsibility. To achieve this a Q-methodological analysis was used to study people’s subjectivity in individual perceptions and beliefs. The Q-population was composed of 41 questions based on literature analysis, a pre-survey, and in-depth interviews. Q-samples were finally composed of 31 statements after expert reviewing. Thirty-four students majoring in education at P graduate school participated in this study. Q-sorting was performed for two weeks in October 2022, and the data were analyzed through the PQ Method 2.35 program. The analysis was based on the most positive and negative statements, and identification items. Education for social responsibility was classified into three types: Emphasis on concept understanding and field practice, Emphasis on state intervention and personal growth, and Emphasis on research and edaucator role. By examining the perception types of students who accept the concept of education for social responsibility, it will be possible to prepare action plans for including social responsibility in education.

Mining and linkages for economic transformation: Revealing multi-stakeholder perspectives through Q-methodology

One of the ways that resource-rich African countries (RRACs) seek to leverage mining for economic transformation is through creating a policy environment suitable for promoting linkages between mining and host economies. RRACs have focused on increasing government revenues through fiscal policies and purchasing goods and services locally through local content policies. An evolving literature suggests that these policy interventions have delivered mixed outcomes. This paper sets out to capture and understand stakeholder perspectives with respect to three research questions: (1) what are the main problems preventing RRACs from building linkages between the mining and other economic sectors? (2) what are the key conditions for leveraging mining linkages for broad-based economic transformation? and (3) can these conditions be created and, if so, how? A Q-methodology analysis involving 46 statements and 66 participants was undertaken, which revealed three shared perspectives that stress the need for redefined context-specific industrial policies and the development of infrastructure, knowledge-based assets, and supplier capacities to enable inter-sectoral linkages that promote economic transformation. The research offers insights on the key areas of consensus and dissensus amongst multi-stakeholder groups with respect to the state of, the barriers to, and the conditions for transformative linkage building in RRACs.

Mental health professionals’ views of the borderline personality disorder diagnosis for children and young people: a Q-methodological study

PurposeBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a controversial psychiatric diagnosis. Despite an increasing amount of research looking at the BPD diagnosis when applied to young people, there is limited understanding of the key viewpoints of mental health professionals working with young people in the UK. This research aims to use Q-methodology to contribute to understanding the multiple views of the diagnosis.Design/methodology/approachQ-statements about views of the BPD diagnosis were selected from relevant journals, internet sites and social media platforms and were validated by a Q-methodology research group, the research supervisors and an online group of individuals with BPD. Q-sorts were then used to explore the viewpoints of 27 mental health professionals in the UK working with children and adolescents. Analysis of the data was completed using Q-methodology analysis software.FindingsThree main factors emerged from the data, explaining 66% of the variance. Of the 27 participants, 24 loaded onto these three factors, defined as: harmful not helpful; language and optimism; and caution and specialist services. Three Q-sorts did not load significantly onto any one factor.Originality/valueThere appears to be at least three ways of understanding the BPD diagnosis for young people. It may be useful for clinicians to consider and share their own viewpoint, be open to difference and formulate difficulties from an individual perspective.

Divergent Perspectives of Filipino PLWH, Their Partners, and Care Providers on Sexuality After an HIV Diagnosis: A Q-Methodological Analysis.

This study explores the perspectives that Filipinos with professional and personal experience with people living with HIV hold about sexuality after an HIV diagnosis. Twenty people living with HIV (PLWH), 11 partners of PLWH, and 10 HIV care professionals in the Philippines were asked to rank-order 54 statements about sexuality post-HIV diagnosis. They shared the reasoning behind their rankings on an online survey platform. By-person factor analysis was done, with factors extracted based on principal component analysis followed by varimax rotation. The analysis yielded six factors with 22 males' and 3 females' Q-sorts exemplifying the views regarding sexuality post-HIV diagnosis: to be human, is to be sexual; information is power; fear of being othered; partnership for enhanced sexuality; disclosure and trust; and communication is foundational. This study revealed diverse viewpoints about sexuality after an HIV diagnosis. HIV care professionals play a decisive role in addressing concerns relating to the sexual health and well-being of newly diagnosed PLWH.

Q-methodology Analysis on the Reasons of Career Transition

Q-methodology Analysis on the Reasons of Career Transition

Serving Multiple Masters? Public Managers’ Role Perceptions in Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting is fast becoming a popular form of public participation. Public managers play an important role in organizing and implementing participatory budgeting. Their role perceptions affect whether they use their discretion to limit or increase residents’ say in participatory processes. However, we know little about public managers’ role perceptions in participatory budgeting. In this study, we develop a typology of public managers’ role perceptions in participatory budgeting using a Q-methodological analysis of public managers in seven municipal participatory budgeting projects in Belgium. We find evidence for four distinct perspectives: a managerial, citizen-centered, technocratic, and skeptical perspective.

대학생이 비대면 학습상황에서 경험하는 학업 어려움 유형 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of academic difficulties on non-face-to-face lectures of students in K university. For this purpose, Q-methodological analysis was used to study subjectivity such as individual perception and belief. Q population was composed of 45 questions based on literature analysis on the academic difficulties, in-depth interview and Q samples were finally composed of 31 statements after expert reviewing. The subjects of this study were 49 students who agreed to participate in the study among lecture in K university. Q sorting was performed for 2 weeks in April 2021, the data were analyzed through the PQ Method 2.35 program. The data analysis based on the most positive, negative statements and identification items. As well as the academic difficulties of non-contact lectures were classified into five types. The first type was named as the ‘difficulty of task performance ’, the second type was the ‘difficulty of prepare exam’, the third type was the ‘difficulty of study alone ’, the fourth type was the ‘difficulty of student engagement’, the fifth type was the ‘difficulty of interaction’. Based on these results, it was concluded that it is necessary to prepare support measures for curricular and extracurricular based on learning problems for students.

Assessing subjective preferences for river quality improvements: combining Q-methodology and choice experiment data

ABSTRACT Choice decisions are inherently subjective but capturing and explaining nuanced variation in respondents’ attitudes is difficult and needs more than the simple socio-demographic variables traditionally used in economic research. In recent years, environmental economists have been shifting towards a more holistic approach to economic valuation, making an increased use of psychology within behavioural economics, to better understand subjective preferences on the environment. This research applies a novel mixed-methods approach to integrate the results from a Q-methodological analysis, which reveals respondents’ latent traits and perceptions about river management, into a choice experiment which estimates respondents’ preferences for potential future improvements to river water quality. The purpose is to improve the quantification of subjectivity within stated preference experiments. Q-methodology reveals five statistically distinct narratives (characterised as Ecological, Financial, Leadership, Collaboration, Legislation) which define the main perspectives respondents hold for river management strategies. Choice experiment results suggest subjectivity causes significant differences in respondents’ choice behaviour. Statistically verified Q-methodological narratives provide plausible explanations for differences in respondents’ choice preferences regarding river water quality improvements. By triangulating between quantitative and qualitative research methods, we demonstrate a research strategy that can contribute to a better understanding of the impact socially contested perspectives have on respondents’ choice behaviour.

Importance Hierarchy of Surrogate Medical Decision Making Determinants: A Q-Methodology Study in Middle Eastern and East Asian Men.

Factors other than patient's preference may influence surrogate medical decision making in a culture- and viewpoint-dependent way. We explored the importance hierarchy of potential surrogate medical decision making determinants to Middle-Eastern (ME) and East-Asian (EA) men according to their norm-perception (N-viewpoint), preference as patients (P-viewpoint), and preference as surrogate decision-makers (S-viewpoint). Each respondent (120 ME, 120 EA) sorted 28 items reflecting potential determinants into a fixed distribution of importance hierarchy according to the three viewpoints. Latent decision making models were explored by by-person factor analysis (Q-methodology). Six models were identified for each ME and EA viewpoint (total 36). Patient's health-related, patient's preference-related, and society's interests-related determinants were strongly embraced in 34, 3, and zero models and strongly discounted in 2, 5, and 21 models, respectively. Patient's religious/spiritual belief was strongly embraced in 6 EA models compared to 2 ME models and strongly discounted in 2 EA models compared to 5 ME models. Further, family-centric and surrogate's interest-related determinants were strongly embraced in 8 EA models compared to 1 ME model. They were also strongly embraced in 5 P-viewpoint compared to 2 S-viewpoint models and strongly discounted in 4 P-viewpoint compared to 11 S-viewpoint models. Despite the overall predominance of patient's health-related determinants and culture- and viewpoint-dependent differences, Q-methodology analysis identified relatively patient's preference-influenced, religious/spiritual beliefs-influenced, emotion-influenced, and familism-influenced models and showed notable overlap in models. Patient's health was more important than other potential medical surrogate decision making determinants, including patient's preference, for both ME and EA men and in all viewpoints. The relative importance of some determinants was culture- and viewpoint- dependent and allowed description of different albeit overlapping models.

Attitudes, beliefs, and practices among Swiss chiropractors regarding medication prescribing for musculoskeletal conditions: a national Q-methodology study

BackgroundSwiss chiropractors have been licensed since 1995 to prescribe from a limited formulary of medications for treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. In January 2018, this formulary was expanded to include additional muscle relaxant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory medications. Internationally, controversy remains over whether or not medication prescribing should be pursued within the chiropractic profession.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess Swiss chiropractors’ attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding their existing medication prescription privileges. This information will provide new insights on the topic and help inform research and policy discussions about expanding chiropractic prescription rights in other jurisdictions.MethodsA 13-item questionnaire and Q-methodology approach were used to conduct the assessment. Recruitment was conducted by e-mail between December 2019 and February 2020, and all members of the Swiss Chiropractic Association were eligible to participate. Data were analyzed using by-person factor analysis and descriptive statistics.ResultsIn total, 187 Swiss chiropractors participated in this study (65.4% response rate). Respondents reported prescribing analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants to a median of 5, 5, and 0% of patients, respectively. Forty-two percent of respondents expressed interest in further expanding the range of current medications available to Swiss chiropractors for treating MSK conditions. Only 15% expressed interest in expanding this range to include medications for treating non-MSK conditions. In the Q-methodology analysis, four salient viewpoints/groups regarding medication prescribing emerged: prescribers, non-prescribers, collaborators, and integrators. All except non-prescribers thought medication prescription privileges were advantageous for the chiropractic profession in Switzerland. There was also strong consensus among all four groups that medication prescribing should not replace manual therapy in chiropractic practice.ConclusionThis was the first national survey on attitudes toward prescribing medications among Swiss chiropractors since the year 2000, and the first using Q-methodology. With this approach, four unique groups of chiropractic prescribers were identified. Even with diversity among clinicians, the findings of this study showed general support for, along with conservative use of, prescribing privileges within the Swiss chiropractic profession. Studies in jurisdictions outside of Switzerland are needed to assess whether chiropractors are interested in expanding their scopes of practice to include similar prescribing privileges.

Spanish language teachers’ pedagogical beliefs in Chinese universities

Understanding teachers’ beliefs is critical to improving educational practice. There is a significant need for research on foreign language teachers’ pedagogical beliefs, as these can exert an influence on students’ learning outcomes. This study draws on Kember’s (1997) theorization of teaching beliefs to explore the beliefs of Spanish language teachers regarding their pedagogy in Chinese universities. Twenty teachers from the Spanish departments in eight Chinese universities were recruited as participants, and a Q-methodology analysis with supplementary interview data identified three types of pedagogical beliefs: “integrated capacity-building”, “ELE learning outcome-focused”, and “social interaction-focused”. The findings suggest that ELE teachers in China no longer subscribe to the traditional teaching methodology which places themselves at the class center, and have instead progressed along a continuum from teacher-centeredness to student-centeredness. With a novel focus on Spanish teachers’ beliefs in Chinese universities, this study provides insights into the teaching of languages other than English (LOTEs) in China, and helps to expand the methodological repertoire in the field of linguistic research.

초등교사가 인식하는 교사의 학교행복감 향상 방안에 대한 Q방법론적 분석

본 연구는 Q방법론을 통해 초등교사가 인식하는 교사의 학교행복감 향상 방안에 대한 인식유형을 분류하고 그 유형별 특징을 살펴보기 위한 것이다. 교사의 행복감과 관련된 양적 선행연구들은, 연구자가 제한적으로 제시하는 구조화된 설문지를 통한 연구가 이루어짐으로써 연구참여자인 교사들의 관점, 견해, 의견 등을 충분히 반영하지 못한 한계가 있다. 연구자의 관점이 아닌 교사의 관점에서 그들의 요구, 견해, 경험 등을 수용하는 연구가 필요하다는 선행연구자들의 제언에 따라 본 연구는 참여자의 주관성을 연구하기에 용이한 Q방법론을 통해 초등교사의 학교행복감 향상 방안에 대한 인식을 살펴보았다. 먼저, 초등교사를 대상으로 한 주관식 설문과 문헌연구를 통해 180개의 Q모집단을 구성한 후, 그 중에서 대표성을 가진 34개의 진술문을 선정하였다. 이 진술문을 초등교사 48명에게 Q분류 분포도 상에 모두 배분하게 한 후, 추가 인터뷰를 통해 그렇게 배치한 이유와 관련 경험을 구체적으로 탐색하였다. 그 결과 대상자 38명이 최종 유형에 포함되었으며, 강하게 동의하거나 부정하는 진술문과 식별문항을 중심으로 초등교사 학교행복감 향상 방안에 대한 인식을 4가지 유형으로 분류하였다. 1유형은 ‘민주적 관리자가 필요함’, 2유형은 ‘긍정적 마인드가 중요함’, 3유형은 ‘문제상황 대처매뉴얼이 필요함’, 4유형은 ‘동료 교사들과의 소통과 협력이 중요함’으로 유형별 특징이 분석되었으며, 이러한 연구결과를 바탕으로 유형별 인식에 기초한 학교행복감 향상 방안을 논의하였다.

Can \u2018Sufficiency\u2019 reconcile social and environmental goals? A Q-methodological analysis of German housing policy

In housing policy, social and environmental targets often appear to be in conflict. This article examines to which degree the rising sustainability strategy ‘sufficiency’ has the potential to overcome this alleged trade-off between social and environmental goals in Germany. The positions of relevant stakeholders from social, environmental, and housing interest groups in Germany on housing policy are analysed by use of Q-methodology. Four distinct positions towards sufficiency-oriented housing policy are identified. The results show under which conditions sufficiency is a promising strategy to reconcile declared social and environmental targets in German housing policy. If pursued by a coalition of housing organizations and environmental interest groups, sufficiency has the potential of becoming a major paradigm in housing policy in Germany and beyond.

A Q-Methodological Analysis of School Principals’ Decision-Making Strategies during the Change Process at Schools

The purpose of the research was to explore the decision-making strategies that school principals employ while dealing with the challenges faced during the change process at schools. The study was conducted in two cities located in Central and Southeast Turkey, with a sample comprising 29 primary, middle and secondary school principals, selected via a purposive sampling technique. Q methodology, a qualitative-dominant mixed methods research design, was used in the study. The researchers developed and used a concourse of 24 specific items that target school principals’ decision-making strategies about change-related challenges in schools by taking a perception-driven decision-making model as the theoretical framework. The statistical software PQMethod was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that school principals shared similar views via the item configurations provided regarding decision-making during times of change, and had a similar profile in terms of decision-making and related strategies. The behavioural decision style was found to be the preferred style. The principals had a profile featuring a high focus on people and low cognitive complexity. The dominant beliefs driving their decision-making strategies seemed to incorporate comprehensive evaluation of the current situation, ethical concerns and organisational values, assessment of technical details, and thorough data collection. Some implications are drawn for researchers and practitioners.

Exploring emotions and cognitions in hoarding: a Q-methodology analysis.

The cognitions and emotions of people prone to hoarding are key components of the dominant cognitive behavioural model of hoarding disorder. This study sought to use Q-methodology to explore the thoughts and feelings of people that are prone to hoarding, to identify whether distinct clusters of participants could be found. A 49-statement Q-set was generated following thematic analysis of initial interviews (n = 2) and a review of relevant measures and literature. Forty-one participants with problematic hoarding met various study inclusion criteria and completed the Q-sort (either online or offline). A by-person factor analysis was conducted and subsequent participant clusters compared on psychometric measures of mood, anxiety, hoarding and time taken on the online task as proxy for impulsivity. Four distinct participant clusters were found constituting 34/41 (82.92%) of the participants, as the Q-sorts of n = 7 participants failed to cluster. The four clusters found were 'overwhelmed' (n = 11 participants); 'aware of consequences' (n = 13 participants); 'object complexity' (n = 6 participants) and 'object-affect fusion' (n = 4 participants). The clusters did not markedly differ with regard to hoarding severity, anxiety, depression or impulsivity. Whilst the participant clusters reflect extant research evidence, they also reveal significant heterogeneity and so prompt the need for further research investigating emotional and cognitive differences between people prone to hoarding.

Clinicians’ perceptions of the Bipolar Disorder diagnosis: a Q-study

PurposeResearch indicates that the diagnostic label of Bipolar Disorder is being both over and under-used in mental health services. Disagreement between clinicians in how the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder is perceived and how the label is used can make it difficult to establish and uphold consistent care. This may lead to the experience of negative emotions for service users and poor engagement with intervention. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore whether clinicians do hold different perceptions of the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, with the view of providing insight into how this may impact service provision.Design/methodology/approachQ-methodology was used to investigate the subjective viewpoints of 19 clinicians from mental health community teams supporting individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. The completed Q-sorts were subject to analysis using Q-methodology analysis software.FindingsThree main factors representing the viewpoints of participants were identified: seeing the person and their experience, promoting quality through standardised processes and understanding the function of diagnostic labels. All three factors agreed that more than one assessment appointment should be required before a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder was given and that the focus should be on the difficulties experienced rather than the diagnostic label.Originality/valueThese three viewpoints provide different perspectives of the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, which are likely to impact on service provision. Services may benefit from a better integration of the viewpoints, noting the important functions of each viewpoint and being guided by individuals’ needs.