Haua, Robert, Amanda Wolf, Jeff Harrison, & Trudi Aspden (2021). Q methodology: An underutilised tool in pharmacy practice research. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. (ePub in advance of print) (Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.04.008) (Share link, expires 8 June 2021: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1cx385WqpYJFTZ)
Abstract: Pharmacy practice research is often concerned with opinions, perspectives, values, or a variety of other subjective domains, whether that be in regard to the experiences of patients, views of stakeholders about innovative pharmacy services, or culture in pharmacy practice. This article offers a brief introduction to Q methodology, which is a philosophical, conceptual, and technical framework well-suited to shed light on such subjective views. Q methodology combines qualitative and quantitative processes to uncover distinct viewpoints present about any given topic. While other textual analyses focus on identifying the constituent themes about a topic, Q methodology instead detects and interprets holistic and shared perspectives. The introduction covers key theoretical principles, as well as the logistics and procedures involved in completing a Q-methodological study. Example data from a study investigating views on pharmacist integration into general practice in New Zealand are presented to highlight the potential of Q methodology for pharmacy practice research.
Robert Haua <r.haua@auckland.ac.nz> is in the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Co-author Amanda Wolf <amanda.wolf@vuw.ac.nz> is a former editor of Operant Subjectivity and is in the Wellington School of Business and Government, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
