Grover, Vijay Kumar (2015, June). Teacher’s accountability for learning as perceived by teachers: A Q-analysis. Research Directions, 2(12), 1-11.
Abstract: This paper is an attempt to deal with issue of teacher’s accountability for learning outcomes of the learner. As the issue is of subjective nature, investigator thought to employ Q methodology developed by William Stephenson (1902-1989). Q methodology is alternative of R methodology which deals with positivistic research. In case of Q methodology it is inter-person correlation put to factor analysis instead of inter-item correlation as in case of R-methodology. Investigator finalized thirty nine items supposedly covering the concept under investigation. Data was collected by using ipsative choice method of Q-sorting, which involves placing items (written on cards) in seven piles (having 1, 3, 8, 15, 8, 3, and 1items) on a continuum from least approved to most approved. These items are scored from 1 to 7 in respect of piles moving from least approved to most approved measures. This 60×60 matrix was put to find inter-person correlation. Depending on intercorrelation values groups of persons were discovered. For each group responses by the members for all the items were averaged to find rank order for items. These items are then placed back in the Q distribution to understand most approved and least approved measures for a group. Study revealed that at least seven factors (corresponding to each group) are running under the concept of accountability for learning. It is finally concluded that teachers mainly approve cognitive factors for which they should be held accountable. In terms of hypotheses testing study accepted all the hypotheses relating to existence of distinct groups, groups have different perceptions, the concourse covers the concept and methodology has been effective for dealing the subject under investigation.
Vijay Kumar Grover <grovervijayk@gmail.com> is in the DAV College of Education, Abohar, Punjab, India.
