Godor, Brian P. (2016, January 17). Moving beyond the deep and surface dichotomy; using Q methodology to explore students’ approaches to studying. Teaching in Higher Education, (http://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2015.1136275) ePublication prior to print.
Abstract:

Student learning approaches research has been built upon the notions of deep and surface learning. Despite its status as part of the educational research canon, the dichotomy of deep/surface has been critiqued as constraining the debate surrounding student learning. Additionally, issues of content validity have been expressed concerning situational and contextual differences in its interpretation. Q methodology was used as both a research method and an analytical technique for this study and has as its aim the exploration of subjectivity. The deep/surface dichotomy was not found in this study, but rather three unique types of study approaches. Moreover, through Q methodology, new novel combinations of statements were able to emerge, thus allowing the academic discussion to move beyond the deep and surface  dichotomy.

Brian P Godor <godor@fsw.eur.nl> is Honour’s Program Coordinator, Erasmus School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.