Q-Methodology as a Phenomenological Research Method
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65828/n8j7xq72Keywords:
Q-methodology, phenomenological research methods, qualitative research methods, therapists’ understandings of addiction.Abstract
This paper aims to introduce Q-methodology in phenomenological research. We discuss the process of using the methodology and demonstrate Q-methodology's distinctive features and its particular approach to researching the range and diversity of subjective understandings, beliefs and experiences. Q methodology is particularly suitable for identifying commonality and diversity and has a powerful capacity for thematic identification and analysis. In our view, Q-methodology can make a contribution to expanding the repertoire of phenomenological research methods available to psychotherapists. In the final section of the paper we provide an example of a research project using Q-methodology. The project aims to increase our understanding of therapists' subjective attitudes, beliefs and experiences in working with clients with problems of addiction. Using Q-methodology it was possible to construct a unique configuration of each participant's engagement with the topic, and at the same time to identify four distinctive factors, indicating patterns of divergent understandings of addiction. Each factor is shown to be a multifaceted construct which does not conform to a priori conceptualizations.
Complete access to the full archive of articles is available with SEA membership. Existing members: please log in with your membership password to view full text. Non-members can buy a single article or issue by registering an account on this website, then selecting a padlocked full text button to purchase.
References
Benner, P. (Ed). (1994). Interpretive phenomenology. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Brown, S. (1980). Political subjectivity: applications of Q methodology in political science. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Brown, S. (1996). Q methodology and qualitative research. Qualitative Health Research, 6:4:561-567. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/104973239600600408
Cordingley, L., Webb, C. & Hillier, V. (1997). Q methodology. Nurse Researcher, 3:3:3 –45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7748/nr1997.04.4.3.31.c5871
Giorgi, A. (1997). The theory, practice, and evaluation of the phenomenological method as a qualitative research procedure. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 28:2: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/156916297x00103
Kitzinger, C. (1987). The social construction of lesbianism. London: Sage.
McLeod, J. & Ryan A. (1993). Therapeutic factors experienced by members of an out-patient therapy group for older women. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 21, 1, 64-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03069889308253642
Van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412995658
Najavits, L. et al. (1995). Therapists' emotional reactions to substance abusers: a new questionnaire and initial findings. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 32, 4, 669-677. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.32.4.669
Najavits, L., Crits-Christoph, P. & Dierberger, A. (2000). Clinicians impact on the quality of substance use disorder treatment. Substance Use & Misuse, 35, 2161-2190. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/10826080009148253
Rayner, G. & Warner, S. (2003). Self-harming behaviour: from lay perceptions to clinical practice. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 16, 4, 305-329. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0951507032000156862
Rodríguez de la Sierra, L. (2002). Countertransference: our difficulties in the treatment of substance abuse. In: Weegmann, M. & Cohen, R. (Eds). The Psychodynamics of addiction. London: Whurr. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470713655.ch10
Rogers, C., Dymond, R. (Eds). (1954). Psychotherapy and personality change. Chicago:University of Chicago Press.
Smith, J. A., Harré, R. & Van Langenhove, L. (1995). Idiography and the case study. In Smith, J.A, Harré, R. & Van Langenhove, L. (eds.). Rethinking methods in psychology. London: Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446221792
Smith, J. A., Jarman, M. & Osborn, M. (1999). Doing interpretative phenomenological analysis. In: Murray, M. & Chamberlain, K. (Eds.). Qualitative health psychology: Theories and methods (pp.219-240). London: Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446217870
Snelling, S. (1999). Women's perspectives on feminism: a Q-methodological study. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 23, 2, 247-266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1999.tb00357.x
Stainton Rogers, R. (1995). Q methodology. In Smith, J., Harré, R. & Van Langenhove, L.(Eds.). Rethinking methods in psychology. London: Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446221792
Stainton Rogers, W. (1991). Explaining health and illness: an exploration of diversity. London: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
Stenner, P., Dancey, C. & Watts, S. (2000). The understanding of their illness amongst people with irritable bowel syndrome: a Q methodological study. Social Science & Medicine, 51, 439-452. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00475-x
Stenner, P. & Stainton Rogers, R. (1998). Jealousy as a manifold of divergent understandings: a Q methodological investigation. British Journal of Social Psychology, 28, 71-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-0992(199801/02)28:1<71::aid-ejsp846>3.0.co;2-d
Stephenson, W. (1988). William James, Niels Bohr, and complementarity: V – phenomenology of subjectivity. The Psychological Record, 38:203-219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03395016
Stricklin, M. & Almeida, J. (2001). PCQ: analysis software for Q-technique (Academic edition revised) [computer software].
Vannicelli, M. (2001). Leader dilemmas and countertransference considerations in group psychotherapy with substance abusers. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 51, 43-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/ijgp.51.1.43.49728
Watts, S. & Stenner, P. (2005). Doing Q methodology: theory, method and interpretation. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2, 67-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446251911
Watts, S. & Stenner, P. (2005a). The subjective experience of partnership love: a Q-methodology study. British Journal of Social Psychology. 44, 85-107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1348/014466604x23473
Wheeler, S. & Turner, L. (1997). Counselling problem drinkers: the realm of specialists, Alcoholics Anonymous or generic counsellors? British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 25, 3, 313-326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03069889708253811
Yalom, I. & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy, 5th Edition. New York: Basic Books
