Owens, Larry (2016). The use of Q sort methodology in research with teenagers. In Jess Prior & Jo Van Herwegen (Eds.), Practical research with children (pp. 228-245). London: Routledge.
Summary: Q methodology is a research approach concerned with the scientific study of subjectivity. It is based on strong theoretical foundations and possesses rigorous techniques for collection and analysis of data. It has been used in a wide variety of disciplines to elicit the different perspectives or points of view on issues of contention. It involves collection of data in the form of Q sorts and the inter-correlation and factor analysis of those data. It holds up well to criticisms. Included in this chapter are three studies related to teenage girls’ social constructions of popularity.
