The Use of Interviews in Q Methodology

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. Approach: 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. Discussion: 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.