q-sOrt.COM

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q-sOrt.COM

• A Web-Based Tool for Administering Data
  Collection for Q Methodology Studies
• 2007 ISSSS Conference
• Bethesda, MD
• Joe Jurczyk
• University of Akron
• Doctoral Student

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Introduction

• Method of administering Q Methodology Studies
• Traditional method
• Printed cards
• Face-to-face administration of sort
• Analysis (PQMethod, PCQ)
• Some Web-Based Tools for sorting
• WebQ
• SolitaireQ
• FlashQ
• Authors original Q-Sort.com program demo-ed at
  2003 Q Conference at Kent State Stark
  (Canton)(developed in Director)
• but

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Problem Statement

• While there are several project-specific
  web-based tools for q-sorting, there is no
  general-purpose application to accommodate the
  administration of multiple studies.

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Purpose Statement

• Goal of research is to develop an integrated
  general web-based solution that incorporates
  three components
• Administration Module (Researcher)
• Sorting Module (Respondent)
• Analysis Module (Researcher)

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Dissertation

• Development of a general web-based tool for
  managing Q Methodology studies
• Will include
• Review of existing tools
• Programming /design / development of tool to
  address shortcomings/opportunities
• Testing of tool by with real studies to provide
  feedback, suggested revisions
• Documentation of process

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Q-SORT.COM - Modules
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Administration Module

• Functions
• Setup web-based Q studies - create q sample-
  rating scale (e.g. -5 to 5) and grid
• - conditions of instruction (e.g. Most Unlike
  to Most Like)
• - rules (e.g. pre-sort items into 3 piles , -,
  0)
• Store sorts (manual and web-based)
• Invite participants by e-mail
• View study progress
• Create printout with q sample, instructions,
  rules
• Import/Export data from Excel, PQMethod, text

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Administration Module

• Features
• Database-driven (MySQL)
• Web-based access to data (not PC-specific)
• Re-use of q sample (e.g. multiple conditions of
  instruction)
• Generate e-mail invitations to participate
• Can accept data collected manually and online
• Benefits
• Accessible anytime, anywhere by researcher and
  respondent
• Provides setup/administration to multiple studies
• Lower setup costs (time)

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Administration Tool Screens
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Administration Tool Screens
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Administration Tool Screens
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Administration Tool Screens
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Administration Tool Screens
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Administration Module
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Sorting Module

• Functions
• Provides graphic (Flash-based) web interface for
  sorting items
• Results stored in database, researcher notified
• Features
• Web-based interface
• Can incorporate text and multimedia (graphics,
  audio, animation, etc.) items
• Incorporate chat on online discussion between
  researcher and respondent
• Benefits
• No geographic limits accessible anytime,
  anywhere
• Results automatically stored online

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Sorting Module

• Process
• Program presents rules and conditions of
  instruction
• Program presents items to sort into 3 preliminary
  piles
• User pre-sorts items, sorts items into grid(s)
• User submits responses
• Program verifies responses, checks rules for
  validity
• Program asks questions (demographics, open-ended
  questions)
• Program stores results in database (tbl_results)
• User id
• Data from sort
• Answers from questions

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Analysis Module

• Functions
• Perform analysis of collected Q-Sorts
• Export data to common formats
• Future web-based integrated version of PQMethod
  (Java-based) or similar analysis tool
• Features
• PQMethod-compatible
• Database-driven
• Benefits
• No data entry required (web-based)
• Automatically generate .sta, .dat, .lis, .raw
  files
• Future web-based allows access anytime, anywhere

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Platforms

• Administration and Sorting Modules
• Flash interface with XML
• PHP
• MySQL backend
• Analysis Module
• Currently DOS/Windows-based (PQMethod or PCQ)
  that can import Q-Sort.com data
• Future Integrate Java-based module with Flash
  interface

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Timeline

• 2007
• December Administrative Module Devel0ped
• 2008
• January Sorting Module Developed
• February Alpha Testing Admin and Sorting
• March Beta Testing
• May Documentation
• June Release

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Summary

• Goal To provide a general web-based tool that
  will be flexible in order to
• Support multiple studies (multiple concourses,
  data types, conditions of instruction, rules)
• Provide a universal interface for administrators
  and subjects
• Compatible with other analysis programs

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Contact Information

• Joe Jurczyk
• jurczyk_at_yahoo.com
• www.q-sort.com