A Primer on Q Methodology

This primer serves two functions: (1) It is a simplified introduction to methodology, covering the topics of concourse, samples, sorting, correlation, factor analysis, theoretical rotation, factor scores, and factor interpretation. (2) It also illustrates different conceptions of Q by taking the concept of Q methodology as the subject matter of the study. The factor results show how current understandings about are traceable to debates among Stephenson, Burt, and others in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.