Using Q Methodology to Investigate Subjective Views and Beliefs in Design, Technology and/or Engineering Education Research
By: Matt N. McLain
References
- Banasick, S. (2023). Ken-Q Analysis (Version 2.0.1) [Computer software]. 10.5281/zenodo.8310377
- Banasick, (2019). KADE: A desktop application for Q methodology. Journal of Open Source Software, 4(36), 1360–1363.
https://joss.theoj.org/papers/10.21105/joss.01360.pdf - DfE (2011). The Framework for the National Curriculum: A report by the Expert Panel for the National Curriculum review.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/framework-for-the-national-curriculum-a-report-by-the-expert-panel-for-the-national-curriculum-review [accessed 07/07/2025] - Deignan, T. (2016). A Short Introduction to Q Methodology [video].
https://qmethod.org/2016/01/08/leeds-metropolitan-quick-q-animation/ - Desing, R., & Kajfez, R. (2020). How to Use Q Methodology in Engineering Education Research. 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access Proceedings.
ASEE Conferences . 10.18260/1–;2--34737 - Hagan, K., & Williams, S. (2016). Oceans of Discourses: Utilizing Q Methodology for Analyzing Perceptions on Marine Biodiversity Conservation in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Frontiers in Marine Science, 3. 10.3389/fmars.2016.00188
- Gillespie, A., Glăveanu, V. & de Saint Laurent, C. (2024). Pragmatism and Methodology. Cambridge University Press.
- Guerra, A., Jiang, D., Du, X., Abou-Hayt, I. & Valderrama Pineda, A.F. (2025). Examining engineering design students’ perceptions of agency for sustainability in a problem- and project-based learning (PBL) context—a Q methodology study. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 35(2), 723–746. 10.1007/s10798–;024–09912–7
- McGimpsey, I. (2011). RSA design & society. A review of literature on design education in the national curriculum [electronic document].
https://www.thersa.org/globalassets/pdfs/blogs/rsa_dt-lit_review_final.pdf - McLain, M. (2021). Developing perspectives on ‘the demonstration’ as a signature pedagogy in design and technology. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 31(1), 3–26.
- McLain, M. (2018). Emerging perspectives on the demonstration as a signature pedagogy in design and technology. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 28(4), 985–1000. 10.1007/s10798–;017–9425–0
- Miller, J. (2011). RSA design & society. What’s wrong with DT? [electronic document].
https://www.thersa.org/globalassets/pdfs/blogs/rsa_whats-wrong-with-dt.pdf - Nilsson, A. (2018). A Q-methodological study of personal worldviews. In Journal for Person-Oriented Research (pp. 78–94). Journal for Person-Oriented Research. 10.17505/jpor.2018.08
- Paperguide.ai. (2024). Version 1.0.11 [Software]. Paperguide.ai.
https://www.paperguide.ai - Reutzel, T. (2013). A Different Perspective on Survey Research Standards. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 77(4),
84 . 10.5688/ajpe77484 - Rost, F. (2020). Q-sort methodology: Bridging the divide between qualitative and quantitative. An introduction to an innovative method for psychotherapy research. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21(1), 98–106. 10.1002/capr.12367
- Schmolck, P. (2014). PQPethod (Version 2.35) [Computer program].
https://schmolck.userweb.mwn.de/qmethod/index.htm [accessed 30/04/2025] - Showunmi, V., & Fox, A. (2018). Exploring research methods for educational leadership. Management in Education, 32(1), 3–5. 10.1177/0892020617748139
- Watts, S. & Stenner, P. (2012).
Doing Q Methodological Research Theory, Method & Interpretation . SAGE Publications Ltd. - Vecchio, Y., Pauselli, G., & Adinolfi, F. (2020). Exploring Attitudes toward Animal Welfare through the Lens of Subjectivity: An Application of Q-Methodology. Animals, 10(8),
1364 ). 10.3390/ani10081364 - Willmott, H. (2020). On Research Methodology. Journal of Organization and Discourse, 1(1), 1–4. 10.36605/jscos.1.1_1
- Yenilmez Turkoglu, A., Aydin, F. & Es, H. (2022). Science teacher’s perceptions of the nature of technology: a Q-methodology study. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(5), 2671–2696. 10.1007/s10798-021-09713-2
- Zabala, A., Sandbrook, C., & Mukherjee, N. (2018). When and how to use Q methodology to understand perspectives in conservation research. Conservation Biology, 32(5), 1185–1194. 10.1111/cobi.13123
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jte.v37i2.a.2 | Journal eISSN: 1045-1064
Language: English
Page range: 12 - 29
Submitted on: May 14, 2026
Accepted on: May 14, 2026
Published on: May 28, 2026
Published by: Virginia Tech
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
© 2026 Matt N. McLain, published by Virginia Tech
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.