Relation between Manual Rotation and Abductive Reasoning in Q-Methodology

Abstract

Subjectivity is usually evaluated using qualitative research methods. However, Q-methodology offers a different set of techniques for measuring and evaluating subjective viewpoints. Q-methodology is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques that is used to identify unique as well as common viewpoints. The quantitative component of Q-methodology is based on factor analysis and factor rotation. A common approach of analysis in Q-methodology is the use of a centroid factor extraction followed by a manual rotation. Some advocates of manual rotation technique claim that manual rotation is based on the abductive reasoning principle. This article shows that manual rotation and abductive reasoning are two different approaches serving different purposes. Abductive reasoning is a method of hypothesis generation while manual rotation is a method of hypothesis testing. Manual rotation does not conform to abductive reasoning principle if there is no pre-specified theory or hypothesis and consecutive manual rotation of factors toward a satisfactory solution is not the same as rotating factors based on adductive reasoning principle.