Q methodology in applied linguistics: a systematic research synthesis

Morea, N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0623-3078 and Ghanbar, H. (2024) Q methodology in applied linguistics: a systematic research synthesis. System, 120. 103194. ISSN 0346-251X doi: 10.1016/j.system.2023.103194

Abstract/Summary

Q methodology (Q) is a mixed-methods research methodology used to systematically explore people's subjectivity. Despite an increasing number of theoretical and empirical studies in applied linguistics (AL) adopting this methodology, we found a lack of systematic research syntheses examining how Q has so far served the field, especially considering the complexity of Q in relation to instrument creation, data collection and data analysis. To address this gap, we conducted a database search to map the uses of Q in AL research, leading to the identification of 55 empirical studies. An analysis of the contextual, methodological and data-analytical characteristics of the selected studies showed that the Q-sort method is being increasingly used in AL as a tool to encourage participant reflexivity, particularly in the areas of teacher and learner cognition and emotions, and language-specific and multilingual motivation. However, the review also revealed current gaps in the applications of Q, and most notably a frequent lack of quality-assurance practices during the development of the Q-set and omissions of important data-analytical information in published research, reducing the transparency and replicability of findings generated from Q studies. We conclude with recommendations for future research using Q in AL.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/114332
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.system.2023.103194
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > Institute of Education > Language and Literacy in Education
Publisher	Elsevier
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