Using Q Methodology in the Literature Review Process: A Mixed Research Approach

Abstract

Because of the mixed research-based nature of literature reviews, it is surprising, then, that insufficient information has been provided as to how reviewers can incorporate mixed research approaches into their literature reviews. Thus, in this article, we provide a mixed methods research approach—Q methodology—for analyzing information extracted from literature reviews. Specifically, after describing the history and characteristic of Q methodology, we show how this approach can be mapped onto the literature review process—a process that we call a Q Methodology Research Synthesis (QMRS). In particular, we outline the steps involved in a QMRS. We contend that our framework represents a first step in an attempt to help literature reviewers analyze and interpret information extracted from literature reviews in an optimally rigorous way.