Q-sort Analysis Research Articles

What are the perspectives of adults aged 18–40 living with type 2 diabetes in urban settings towards barriers and opportunities for better health and well-being: a mixed-methods study

ObjectivesDelivered as part of the global assessment of diabetes in urban settings, this study explores different aspects of living with type 2 diabetes, for adults aged 18–40. Primary questions were...

Expert Perceptions of Conflicts in African Vulture Conservation: Implications for Overcoming Ethical Decision-Making Dilemmas

Because African vultures are declining due to anthropogenic causes, we linked conservation management with social science by examining the ethical perspectives of individuals responsible for the management of vultures. Understanding these perspectives can help balance scientific knowledge with stakeholder concerns, resulting in more effective decision-making. We interviewed 37 vulture conservationists: 24 in South Africa and Kenya from July–August 2017, and the remaining 13 at a conference in the United States from October–November 2017. We used a Q-Methodology activity in which participants ranked a set of statements (termed Q-sort questions) that we had generated based on pre-study interviews and published literature. This methodology is a social science tool that quantitatively evaluates subjective characteristics such as the values that shape a participant's ethical worldview. A follow-up, semi-structured interview provided a deeper understanding of the participants' statement rankings. Together, both steps addressed individual beliefs and how the participants framed their ethical value structures. We found that the conservationists interviewed, regardless of background, held an overall ethical commitment to duty that guides them as they pursue their conservation management work. The Q-sort analysis suggested three different factors that reflected their expressed views: (1) a biocentric perspective (moral status given to all living things in nature) but with strong negative linkage toward vultures having value for human use (non-anthropocentric intrinsic value), (2) an environmental virtue ethics perspective (moral values are based on a person's character rather than whether specific actions are right or wrong) with consideration given toward vultures having possible value for human use, and (3) an ecocentric perspective (holistic, wherein moral consideration is given to both species and ecosystems) that was neutral with regard to vultures having value for human use (intrinsic value). Insights gained from this study represent an initial step in elucidating stakeholder perspectives and will contribute to the conservation of African vultures.

How Can Social Branding Mitigate Racism Among Fans in Sports? A Q-sort Analysis on the Value of Social Branding Campaigns as Vehicles for Reducing Racism Among Soccer Fans

Social branding is a new governance strategy in the field of sport. National governments and sport associations, for instance, use branding to reach out to fans and alter their perceptions of racism in sport. But how do fans, as a target group, actually value this governance strategy? This article zooms in on the purpose of social branding, as perceived by fans as a target group in a social branding campaign on racism in soccer in the Netherlands. The Q-sort methodology was used to study the subjective viewpoints of 29 soccer fans of different professional sport clubs. The analysis reveals that soccer fans prefer a transparent branding process in which they are recognized as coproducers of the brand and can add their story to the brand message that is conveyed to target audiences.

Balancing Socio-Ecological Risks, Politics, and Identity: Sustainability in Minnesota’s Copper-Nickel-Precious Metal Mining Debate

In the northeastern corner of Minnesota, two of the state’s most iconic symbols, mining and pristine wilderness, are on a collision course. The Duluth Complex, considered by many to be the world’s largest undeveloped deposit of copper-nickel and precious metals, is the site of mining proposals for several controversial mines. Proponents suggest that mining can be accomplished in an environmentally benign manner, and in the process create nearly 1000 jobs and $500 million in economic benefits annually. Opponents counter that the tourism and recreation industries already provide nearly 18,000 jobs and bring over $900 million in economic benefits annually, and that mining will permanently impair the regions environment. Thus, the copper-nickel and precious metal mining debate has become highly polarized, and serves as an ideal example of how people address national and global sustainability issues at local and regional scales. This study examines this polarization through a Q-sort analysis of subjectivities of residents of the state of Minnesota. Results suggest that partisanship is a strong predictor of attitudes towards mining, and that the strongest differences between respondents were not based on perceptions comparing jobs and the environment, the typical partisan divide, but rather on respondents’ perceived identity with relation to the mining industry or water resources.

Kentsel Peyzaj Tasarımlarında Aydınlatma Donatı Elemanlarının Kullanımı; Yozgat Spor Vadisi Örneği

Donatı elemanları, kentsel peyzaj alanlarında sosyal aktiviteleri destekleyen yapısal elemanlardır. Donatı elamanları taşıdığı çok yönlü işlevselliği sayesinde çevre kalitesini arttırmakta, kent kimliğine katkı sağlamaktadır. Günümüzde kentsel alanlarda doğru biçimde tasarımı yapılan ergonomik, estetik ve bakımlı donatı elemanlarına ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Özetle, kentin içinde beton yapıların arasına sıkışan kent halkı, kendini ait hissedebileceği konforlu, güvenli yapı elemanları ile çevrelenmiş rekreasyonel alanlara ihtiyaç duymaktadır. Aydınlatma donatı elemanları, tüm donatı elemanlarını estetik ve fonksiyonel açıdan destekleyen donatı elemanlarıdır. Çalışma alanı olarak ele alınan Spor Vadisi, Yozgat kentinin en yoğun sirkülasyonunun olduğu bölgede konumlanan, kent halkının yoğun olarak kullandığı rekreasyonel alandır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, kentin bir parçası olan ve halkın aktif kullandığı Spor Vadisi’nde kullanılan aydınlatma donatılarının mevcut durumlarının, peyzaj tasarımı açısından irdelenmesidir. Çalışma alanındaki aydınlatma donatı elemanlarının peyzaj tasarımı açısından uygunluğu Q-SORT analizi ile değerlendirilmiş ve elde edilen verilere göre Yozgat Spor Vadisi’nde yapılacak iyileştirme çalışmalarına öneriler getirilmiştir.

Disciplinary boundaries and integrating care: using Q-methodology to understand trainee views on being a good doctor

BackgroundRising numbers of patients with multiple-conditions and complex care needs mean that it is increasingly important for doctors from different specialty areas to work together, alongside other members of the multi-disciplinary team, to provide patient centred care. However, intra-professional boundaries and silos within the medical profession may challenge holistic approaches to patient care.MethodsWe used Q methodology to examine how postgraduate trainees (n = 38) on a range of different specialty programmes in England and Wales could be grouped based on their rankings of 40 statements about ‘being a good doctor’. Themes covered in the Q-set include: generalism (breadth) and specialism (depth), interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinary team working, patient-centredness, and managing complex care needs.ResultsA by-person factor analysis enabled us to map distinct perspectives within our participant group (P-set). Despite high levels of overall commonality, three groups of trainees emerged, each with a clear perspective on being a good doctor. We describe the first group as ‘generalists’: team-players with a collegial and patient-centred approach to their role. The second group of ‘general specialists’ aspired to be specialists but with a generalist and patient-centred approach to care within their specialty area. Both these two groups can be contrasted to those in the third ‘specialist’ group, who had a more singular focus on how their specialty can help the patient.ConclusionsWhilst distinct, the priorities and values of trainees in this study share some important aspects. The results of our Q-sort analysis suggest that it may be helpful to understand the relationship between generalism and specialism as less of a dichotomy and more of a continuum that transcends primary and secondary care settings. A nuanced understanding of trainee views on being a good doctor, across different specialties, may help us to bridge gaps and foster interdisciplinary working.

Acceptability of a Positive Parenting Programme on a Mother and Baby Unit: Q-Methodology with Staff

The Baby Triple P Positive Parenting Programme, a new addition to the established Triple P programmes, is currently being considered for a trial in a Mother and Baby Unit with the aim of exploring its benefits to mothers presenting with severe mental illness. The aim of the current study was to investigate staff views of the acceptability and feasibility of a parenting programme such as the Baby Triple P Positive Parenting Programme in a Mother and Baby Unit. Q-methodology, using an 88-item Q-sort, was employed to explore the opinions of 16 staff working in a Mother and Baby Unit in the North West of England. Results obtained from the Q-sort analysis identified two distinct factors: (1) staff qualified acceptance and (2) systemic approach/systemic results. Preliminary findings indicate that staff perceived Baby Triple P to be an acceptable and feasible intervention for the Mother and Baby Unit setting and that mothers on the unit would be open and receptive to the programme. Further research is required to expand these findings and assess the potential for this type of intervention to be used more widely across a number of Mother and Baby Unit settings.

Using visual Q sorting to determine the impact of photovoltaic applications on the landscape

In recent years, some European countries have experienced rapid growth of installation of photovoltaic systems. These systems can involve relevant, and in some cases quite radical, transformations of the landscape, especially in rural areas, and long-term impact on land use. In Italy, this installation of photovoltaic systems has raised concerns over the impact on the landscape and on land use. Visual Q methodology is particularly suited for the assessment of such perceived impact of photovoltaic systems. A selection (concourse) of landscape images with photovoltaic elements was collected and used during this Q-sort analysis. The final Q sample included 54 images of various photovoltaic plants in urban and rural settings. The P set was composed of 34 participants, including landscape and photovoltaic professionals. This analysis identified three distinctive factors that are representative of the different viewpoints on the integration of photovoltaic systems within the urban and rural landscapes. We conclude with a discussion of the wider land-use policy implications of this analysis.

International Counseling Traits: Identifying Counseling Traits Ranked most Important by International Counseling Professionals through Q-Sort Analysis

Research has shown an increase in the study and discussion of international counseling throughout the past decade in the mental health domain. The counseling profession continues to take steps to address the lack of access to and the quality of counseling support throughout the world. A Q-sort methodology was utilized in order to capture an understanding of what might be identified as the most important traits for counselors to consider when counseling in international settings. A uniquely constructed Q-sort model developed from a careful review of the literature resulted in 35 items that were evaluated by 43 participants in two phases of analysis. The results from the Q-sort led to fuller consideration of the 12 counseling traits ranked highest. Three core themes that emerged from the data included: valuing people, personal character, and multicultural intentionality. Discussion about the highest ranked traits and core themes provides consideration of research implications and future studies in international counseling as a whole.

Prioritizing Culture Change in Nursing Homes: Perspectives of Residents, Staff, and Family Members

To explore the perspectives and priorities of nursing home residents, family members, and frontline nursing staff concerning a broad range of items representing common targets of culture change initiatives. Qualitative study. A Veterans Affairs Community Living Center and two community nursing homes in North Carolina. Residents (n = 21), family members (n = 21), and direct-care nursing staff (n = 21) were recruited, with equal numbers in each group from each site. Participants rated the importance of 62 items from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Artifacts of Culture Change instrument. Participants sorted cards reflecting each culture change artifact in two phases, identifying and ranking those of more and less importance to them to derive one distribution of preferences for each respondent. Q-sort analysis identified groups of respondents who prioritized similar items; qualitative analysis sought themes or explanations for the responses. Wide variation in respondent preferences was observed. Some respondents viewed several items that others valued highly as unimportant or undesirable. Some items were not high priorities for any respondents. Four groups of respondents with similar preferences were identified: practical and independence-focused respondents, who prioritized ease of use of the physical environment; staff-focused respondents, who prioritized nursing staff retention and development; consistency and choice-focused respondents, who prioritized stable nurse staff-resident relationships and resident choice; and activity and community-focused respondents, who prioritized community gathering spaces and activities. Resident, family, and staff priorities for culture change vary, and diverse priorities of stakeholders should be considered to inform culture change efforts on a local and national level.

Mobile services put in context: A Q-sort analysis

Purpose Objective of this paper to evaluate mobile services on a limited set of characteristics, e.g. usage context, the Innovativeness of the service, efforts required of users for using the service, the usefulness of the service and the likelihood with which it will be used, in order to show that distinction between services is highly relevant for adoption and acceptance research. Design/method/approach In this research the mobile services are object of study and therefore an exploratory approach making use of Q-sort methodology is used. Findings The characteristics of the 48 services under study play an important role when judged on the five dimensions. Advanced services, explicitly exploiting the mobile nature of the services like navigation and localization, embedded in all kind of task and process related activities, stood out as the most innovative services, however these are the least likely to be used because they are expected to fit day-to-day routines and usage context the least. Easy to use services and services that fit most contexts are most likely to be used. Practical implications Designers of mobile services and applications have to be aware of the subtle interplay between usage context, the service or application to be designed, the ease of use. Only when all these factors are taken into account the services may have value to users. Original value This is one of the very few studies focused on mobile services, instead of user perception and behavior. In most research on mobile service adoption and acceptance the characteristics of services are threatened as a black box. This paper shows how relevant it is to look into characteristics of mobile services themselves.

Evaluation of the Q-method as a method of public participation in the selection of sustainable development indicators

The complexity of sustainable development means that it is often difficult to evaluate and communicate the concept effectively. One standard method to reduce complexity and improve communication, while maintaining scientific objectivity, is to use selected indicators. The aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate a process of public participation in the selection of sustainable development indicators that utilised the Q-method for discourse analysis. The Q-method was utilised to combine public opinion with technical expertise to create a list of technically robust indicators that would be relevant to the public. The method comprises statement collection, statement analysis, Q-sorts and Q-sort analysis. The results of the Q-method generated a list of statements for which a preliminary list of indicators was then developed by a team of experts from the fields of environmental science, sustainable development and psychology. Subsequently members of the public evaluated the preliminary list of indicators, to select a final list of indicators that were both technically sound and incorporated the views of the public. The utilisation of the Q-method in this process was evaluated using previously published criteria. The application of the Q-method in this context needs to be considered not only by the quality of the indicators developed, but also from the perspective of the benefit of the process to the participants. It was concluded that the Q-method provided an effective framework for public participation in the selection of indicators as it allowed the public to discuss sustainable development in familiar language and in the context of their daily lives. By combining this information with expert input, a list of technically robust indicators that resonate with the public was developed. The results demonstrated that many citizens are not aware of sustainable development, and if it is to be successfully communicated to them, then indicators and policy need to be couched in terms familiar and relevant to citizen and communities.

Perceptions of End-Users on the Requirements in Personal Firewall Software

Information security is usually considered a technical discipline with much attention being focused on topics such as encryption, hacking, break-ins, and credit card theft. Security products such as anti-virus programs and personal firewall software, are now available for end-users to install on their computers to protect against threats endemic to networked computers. The behavioral aspects related to maintaining enterprise security have received little attention from researchers and practitioners. Using Q-sort analysis, this study used students as end-users in a graduate business management security course to investigate issues affecting selection of personal firewall software in organizations. Based on the Q-sort analysis of end-users in relation to seven variables identified from review of the information security literature, three distinct group characteristics emerged. Similarities and differences between groups are investigated and implications of these results to IT managers, vendors of security software and researchers in information security area are discussed.

Key Issues in IS Management in Norway

Information systems (IS) departments face many challenges in today’s rapidly changing environment. One approach to understanding these challenges is to survey IS managers to elicit what they consider are key issues. Studies of key IS management issues have been conducted for some years in many nations and regions. However, most of these surveys lack a theoretical basis for the selection of key issues. Furthermore, most studies have used a single-round or a multi-round Delphi method. This paper provides an overview of research approaches to key issues studies combined with key issues results from previous research. The paper presents methodological issues and choices for a survey on key issues in IS management which was conducted in Norway. A three step procedure for key issues selection is introduced, and a Q-sort analysis is adopted. The paper presents results from the Q-sort survey and analysis. The highest ranked key issue in Norway, according to the survey, is concerned with improving links between information systems strategy and business strategy.

Global Comparisons of Key Issues in IS Management: Extending Initial Selection Procedure and an Empirical Study in Norway

Information systems (IS) departments face many challenges in today's rapidly changing environment. One approach to understanding these challenges is to survey IS managers to elicit what they consider are key issues. Studies of key IS management issues have been conducted for some years in many nations and regions. However, most of these surveys lack a theoretical basis for the selection of key issues. Furthermore, most studies have used a single-round or a multi-round Delphi method. This chapter provides an overview of research approaches to key issues studies combined with key issues results from previous research. The chapter presents methodological issues and choices for a survey on key issues in IS management which was conducted in Norway in 1998. A three step procedure for key issues selection is introduced, and a Q-method analysis is adopted. The chapter presents results from the Q-sort survey and analysis. The highest ranked key issue in Norway, according to the survey, is concerned with improving links between information systems strategy and business strategy. Global comparisons of key issues in information systems management confirm this top ranked issue. Also, the issue of planning information technology projects for competitive advantage is a high ranking issue in Norway and most other countries. Improving interorganizational information systems planning was the third highest ranked issue in Norway, but it is non- existent in other survey lists. This can be partly explained by the lack of theoretical framework when issues were selected in other studies and by the small organizational sizes in Norway.

Instructional strategies for teaching to write: a Q-sort analysis

Two methods of teaching writing in first grade are adopted in Italian elementary schools: analytic or phonic–syllabic and global. The former starts with the presentation to children of letters which are combined into words and sentences, whereas the latter emphasizes writing as a meaningful activity, and consequently its starting point is represented by words and/or sentences. Twelve first grade teachers (six following the analytic and six the global method) had to Q-sort 85 instructional activities commonly used when teaching to write. From factor analysis applied to the Q-data two factors emerged, one referring to the analytic and the other to the globalistic teachers. The relationship between the two factors and the activities is presented and discussed.

Where "Does" the Buck Stop?: Assessing the Impact of Presidential Personality

Personality studies of important political figures have generally relied on either detailed but idiosyncratic case historical methods or the more rigorous but potentially misleading content analysis of a subject's public statements or writings. This paper employs a comparatively new method of personality assessment to evaluate the personality of postwar U. S. presidents. A Q-sort analysis produces a personality profile for each of six U. S. presidents and permits a comparison of these profiles with criterion profiles for presidential openness, effective leadership, and optimally adjusted personality. The Q-sort data provide no support for the hypothesis that a president's personality is related to his overall greatness rating by historians, but the data are consistent with the hypothesis that presidents rated high on openness may also exhibit greater integrative complexity in their policy deliberations during international crises.

Comorbidity of bulimia and substance abuse: perceptions of family of origin.

Clinical characteristics and perceptions of family of origin were examined in 16 bulimic women with comorbid alcohol abuse or dependence, 17 women with bulimia alone, and 30 normal controls. Family Environment Scale self-report and Family Environment Q-sort analysis of taped semi-structured interviews about family environment revealed that while there were no differences across groups in global family environment items, differences existed in specific parental characteristics. Fathers of bulimic women (with or without alcohol abuse or dependence) were perceived as being significantly more seductive than fathers of normal controls. Bulimic women (with or without alcohol abuse or dependence) tended to view their mothers as more neurotic and to have experienced less enjoyment in their maternal role. Mothers of bulimic women with alcohol abuse tended to place the greatest emphasis on weight, exercise, and appearance.

A Q-Sort Analysis of Attitudes of School Personnel in Iowa Toward Collective Negotiations 1

This study investigated the amount of agreement existing among school personnel in Iowa concerning the role of the superintendent in collective negotiations and the scope and structure of the collective negotiation process, Through the utilization of Q-methodology, two significant types or groups of school personnel were identified, each demonstrating a high degree of similarity in their attitudes towards collective negotiations. Identification procedures revealed that personnel predominantly from rural and urban school districts comprised one type, while personnel from the central city school districts made up the second type. Investigation of the pattern of responses led the investigator to label the first group Localites and the second group Metropolites.