The use of interviews in Q methodology: card content analysis.
BACKGROUND
Although much has been published in the literature on how to perform a Q methodological study, the use of interviews within this process has received little attention.


METHODS
The purpose of this review is to explore the use of interviews in a Q methodological study.


RESULTS
An introduction to Q methodology is provided. The aims of an interview within a Q methodological study are described, and how these aims lend themselves to a particular method of analysis is explored. How to perform this analysis is outlined.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of interviews can increase the validity of a Q methodological study by providing the participant's rationale for analysis of the factor arrays. When to perform the interviews is still under debate, and further study is required to determine whether the timing affects the results.
Gallagher
Katie
K
Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, United Kingdom. katie.gallagher@kcl.ac.uk
Porock
Davina
D
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011779:Q-Sort / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design