This year, we suggest two pre-conference workshops:
1) Introduction to Q by Dr Susan Ramlo (University of Akron) & Dr James Rhoads (Westminster College)
2) Advanced Q by Dr Steven Brown (Kent State University) & Dr James Good (University of Durham, UK)
Date: 11th September
Location: Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center (room – coming soon)
Time: 1) Introduction to Q at 9:30-12:30, 2) Advanced Q at 13:30-16:30
These workshops are free to attend, but demand registration.
In the morning session, Dr Susan Ramlo (University of Akron) & Dr James Rhoads (Westminster College) will deliver a pre-conference introduction to Q Methodology workshop.
Q methodology was created to scientifically study subjectivity. Although the number of Q studies has been increasing within the last decade, it seems few of these studies are followed up by other Q studies by the same investigators. We theorize that, in part, this is because the Q process may seem straightforward, especially for those who are unfamiliar with Q methodology.
There are specific steps to march through which at least appear to be clear, with the exception of the interpretation stage and, perhaps, the mathematical / statistical stage. This workshop is meant to be more than a “how to perform a Q study” workshop. Instead, we seek to help those interested in Q to embrace all aspects of Q methodology.
Workshop participants, and others, are expected to perform an online Q sort prior to the workshop. After a theoretical overview, participants will get to ‘practice’ analyzing data with some interpretation at least begun. We will use KADE desktop software (which is freeware produced by Shawn Banasick and available here – https://shawnbanasick.com/). The data file created via the online Q sorts will be shared with participants immediately prior to the workshop so that various explorations of solutions can be performed by participants.
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In the afternoon session, Dr Steven Brown (Kent State University) & Dr James Good (University of Durham, UK) will lead an advanced Q methodology pre-conference workshop.
This workshop is intended for Q scholars with more than elementary research and reading experience. The facilitators will lead the group through a number of issues that continue to challenge Q methodologists, tackling particular areas where debate or misunderstandings have arisen. The agenda is in the process of formulation but may include issues such as theoretical rotation, the structuring of Q samples and propositional sets, the forced Q-sort distribution, abduction as inference and process, the prior analysis of questionnaires, and single case studies as well as more historical/philosophical matters such as the key influences on the development of Stephenson’s thinking, the laws of subjectivity, Newton’s Fifth Rule, parallels with quantum theory, the status of consciousness vs. subjectivity, etc.
Conferees who intend to enroll for the workshop are encouraged to copy both facilitators (sbrown@kent.edu and j.m.m.good@durham.ac.uk) with their preferred topics for discussion.