Ramlo, S. (2010, February). Applications of Q Methodology in Higher Education. Paper presented at the Eastern Educational Research Association, Savannah, GA.

ABSTRACT: William Stephenson specifically developed Q methodology, or Q, as a means of measuring subjectivity (Brown, 1980, 2008; McKeown & Thomas, 1988; Stephenson, 1953). Q has been used to determine perspectives / views in a wide variety of fields from marketing research to political science (Brown, 1980; McKeown & Thomas, 1988) but less frequently in education (Brown, 1980). In higher education, the author has used Q methodology to determine views about a variety of situations, from students� views about a newly developed bioinformatics course (Ramlo, McConnell, Duan, & Moore, 2008) to faculty members� views of reading circles as a professional development experience to improve teaching and learning in their classrooms (Ramlo & McConnell, 2008). The purpose of this paper will be to introduce Q methodology and demonstrate its versatility in addressing research purposes in higher education, especially where the focus is on determining people�s perceptions and / or grouping people based upon their views.

Published by Susan Ramlo, PhD

I am a researcher based in Northeast Ohio with international recognition as a Q methodologist and mixed methods researcher. My publications, including over 55 refereed journal articles and multiple book chapters, indicate the broad applications of Q methodology as well as my deep interest in methodological issues. As a physicist, some of my publications focus on the quantum physics that is intertwined within Q methodology. My CV and a range of publications and videos are available at the links below as well as my business website.