Transcript 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
Q-SORT.COM
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
 Author’s original Q-Sort.com program demo-ed at
2003 Q Conference at Kent State –Stark (Canton)
(developed in Director)
 …but…
Problem Statement
 While there are several project-specific web-
based tools for q-sorting, there is no generalpurpose application to accommodate the
administration of multiple studies.
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)
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
Q-SORT.COM - Modules
Administration
Sorting
(Researcher)
(Respondent)
Analysis
(Researcher)
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
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)
Administration Tool Screens
Administration Tool Screens
Administration Tool Screens
Administration Tool Screens
Administration Tool Screens
Administration Module
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
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
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
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
Timeline
 2007
 December: Administrative Module Devel0ped
 2008
 January: Sorting Module Developed
 February: Alpha Testing – Admin and Sorting
 March: Beta Testing
 May: Documentation
 June: Release
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
Contact Information
Joe Jurczyk
[email protected]
www.q-sort.com