Introducing Q Methodology to Program Evaluators

2021 ◽  
pp. 109821402093222
Author(s):  
Kevin Harris ◽  
Chad Oatley ◽  
Steven Mumford ◽  
Phung K. Pham ◽  
Heather Nunns
Keyword(s):  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Demonstration ◽  
Recent Evaluation

This method note presents Q methodology as a useful tool for evaluators to add to their practice toolbox. Q methodology, which involves both quantitative and qualitative techniques, can help researchers and evaluators systematically understand subjectivity and the communicability of opinions and perspectives. We first provide an overview of Q methodology, followed by a brief summary of how evaluators are using Q, and an explanation of the steps for implementing Q methodology. Either by itself or with other methods, the potential uses of Q methodology in evaluation are diverse. For practical demonstration, we describe how Q methodology was used in a recent evaluation in the UK to understand stakeholder subjectivity within the program. We then reflect upon the pros and cons of using Q in program evaluation, concluding that it constitutes a worthwhile tool for evaluating complex programs.

Concorrenza e regolazione nel settore ferroviario: l'importanza del materiale rotabile

2009 ◽  
pp. 47-72
Author(s):  
Carlo Cambini
Keyword(s):  
Jel Classification ◽  
Railway Transport ◽  
Transport Regulation ◽  
Market Competitiveness ◽  
Railway Industry ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Overall Efficiency ◽  
Barrier To Entry ◽  
The Uk

- The liberalization process in the railway industry is highly influenced by the availability of rolling stocks. Although these assets are duplicable and cannot therefore be defined as essential facilities, evidence from many countries shows that they represent the most relevant barrier to entry in the market. In this paper, following the UK experience, we analyse the role of the rolling stocks and the hypothesis of a vertical separation of these assets from the present owner, i.e. the incumbent operator Trenitalia SpA. We therefore evaluate the pros and cons of a potential de-integration of the Italian railway industry in order to enhance market competitiveness and the overall efficiency of this industry. . Keywords: railway transport, regulation, competition, essential facilities Parole chiave: trasporto ferroviario, regolazione, concorrenza, asset essenziali . Jel Classification: L43 - L51 - L92

Schemes of Arrangement: Law and Practice

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff O’Dea ◽  
Julian Long ◽  
Alexandra Smyth
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
English Law ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Uk

This new guide to schemes of arrangement draws together all of the elements of the law and practice concerning both creditor and member schemes. Member schemes of arrangement have become the preferred method of implementing takeovers in the UK. Creditor schemes of arrangement are increasingly used in restructuring matters and the trend in their usage in foreign companies is likely to continue as many credit documents across Europe are arranged and underwritten in London under English law. The book considers the effect given to an English scheme in foreign jurisdictions, and other Private International Law issues. A major issue for those considering a scheme for creditors is whether a scheme or CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) is more appropriate and this book assists the reader by including an analysis of the pros and cons of schemes and CVAs. There are very few sources of information on schemes of arrangement and the area takes much of its substance from case law. This book, addressing the law and practical issues faced by practitioners on a day-to-day basis, is a first in the field.

10. Introduction to Employment Equality Law

2020 ◽  
pp. 348-408
Author(s):  
David Cabrelli
Keyword(s):  
Historical Development ◽  
Proper Understanding ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Substantive Equality ◽  
Direct Discrimination ◽  
Indirect Discrimination ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Formal Equality ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Employment Equality

This chapter examines the pros and cons of interfering in the labour market via the promulgation of anti-discrimination laws. It evaluates the basic theoretical constructs which are relevant to a proper understanding of anti-discrimination law in the UK and the EU, including the possible policy responses (e.g. the distinction between formal equality and substantive equality). It briefly assesses the historical development of anti-discrimination laws in the workplace, and then analyses key statutory concepts such as direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. Finally, the chapter considers victimization—an important issue since there is little purpose in statutory concepts if the employer can intimidate the employee, thus preventing him/her from bringing or continuing proceedings on one of these bases and/or by subjecting him/her to retaliation.

Radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroid cats: frequently asked questions from vets and clients

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Angie Hibbert
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Iodine ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Parathyroid Tissue ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Curative Effect ◽  
Ectopic Tissue ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Iodine Treatment ◽  
The Uk

Feline hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrinopathy affecting senior and geriatric cats. Radioactive iodine treatment is widely considered the gold-standard treatment because of its curative effect, associated high success rates, the lack of requirement for anaesthesia, preservation of parathyroid tissue and the ability to treat ectopic tissue and thyroid carcinoma. Until recently, access to radioactive iodine in the UK was limited to a few centres; however, more clinics are starting to offer the treatment, increasing the potential number of cats that can receive radioactive iodine. This review will cover topics including the pros and cons of treatment, the mechanism of radioactive iodine action and management of the feline patient during and after radioactive iodine, to enable veterinary surgeons to discuss the therapy in detail with their clients.

scholarly journals Ensuring fair levels of executive directors’ remuneration: Regulation and use of principles against the use of detailed legal rules in determining the most effective approach for setting executive pay levels. A discussion

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Ewgeni Hersonski
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Executive Pay ◽  
Legal Rules ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Uk

The purpose of this paper is to present arguments concerning the fair levels of executive directors’ remuneration. It is argued that principles are a better way to achieve this goal. However, we also find arguments in support of detailed legal rules when dealing with this matter. Since both methods have their pros and cons the paper delivers a balanced discussion and also outlines how the executive pay is currently regulated in the UK, the United States as well as on the global scale.

scholarly journals Why understanding stakeholder perspectives and emotions is important in upland woodland creation – a case study from Cumbria, UK

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Vangerschov Iversen ◽  
Claire Holt ◽  
Naomi van der Velden ◽  
Lois Mansfield ◽  
Ian Convery
Keyword(s):  
Q Methodology ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
International Policy ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Woodland Creation ◽  
Understanding Emotions ◽  
The Uk

Upland regions in the United Kingdom (UK) are increasingly under consideration as potential areas for the creation of woodlands. This is driven by a combination of factors, including the aims of UK forestry and environmental policy to increase woodland cover, meeting international greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, agro-environment schemes in national and international policy, and an increasing public awareness of the ecosystem service benefits landscapes can deliver for society. Creating new woodlands in upland areas is challenging, partly due to concerns of the potential impacts from a change in land use and also due to stakeholder perspectives. In the UK, the upland landscape is in multiple ownership and currently managed by multiple land managers and stakeholders with contrasting aims and objectives. This research adds a much needed qualitative element to the overall understanding of this complex topic, by carrying out a Q-methodology investigation of stakeholder perspectives of upland woodland creation. Three characteristic groups of stakeholders are identified as 1. ‘Not enough is done to protect the environment’, 2. ‘Changing the landscape is changing us’ and 3. ‘let’s not let our emotions get in the – seeing the bigger picture’. The clear potential for antagonism, and even conflict, in ideologies and approaches between these groups highlights the importance of engaging with stakeholders and employing approaches rooted in mutual understanding, participation and collaboration. Stakeholder perspectives are a powerful influence on if, and how, woodlands are created and maintained, thus understanding emotions and attitudes is a vitally important part of the challenge of creating new woodlands in the uplands of Cumbria.

scholarly journals Mobilising Q methodology within a realist evaluation: Lessons from an empirical study

Evaluation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-448
Author(s):  
Kevin Harris ◽  
Steven Henderson ◽  
Brian Wink
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Evaluation Capacity Building ◽  
Evaluation Capacity ◽  
Recent Evaluation

Realist evaluation and Q methodology are established approaches in social science. However, integration of Q methodology within a realist evaluation is scarce. This article attempts to illustrate (through a recent evaluation) how Q methodology can support a realist evaluation. The article attempts to capture the philosophical compatibility of the two approaches creating an argument for Q’s integration within realist evaluation. Through the case study selected (a realist evaluation of an evaluation capacity building framework), the iterative methodological process is presented, capturing a snapshot of the findings from the evaluation. This illuminates how Q met the philosophical aims of a realist evaluation to make sense of how, why and under what circumstances a programme or intervention works. It is argued that Q methodology is entirely suitable for capturing the three key stages in a realist evaluation of developing, testing and refining programme theory. It is intended that this article can contribute to inspire other realist evaluators and methodologists to make use of Q as a tool in their evaluation.

Applying utilitarianism to the presumed consent system for organ donation to consider the moral pros and cons

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (19) ◽  
pp. 1127-1131
Author(s):  
Jelena Morris ◽  
Janet Holt
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Organ Donation ◽  
Philosophical Theory ◽  
Presumed Consent ◽  
Consequentialist Theory ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Uk

In May 2020, England adopted an opt-out approach for organ donation, also referred to as the deemed consent system, with the aim of alleviating the demand for organs in the UK. This system dictates that those who have not opted out will have their organs donated following their death, with the exception of those meeting certain criteria. This article applies the philosophical theory of utilitarianism to the deemed consent system for organ donation, focusing particularly on topics such as that of informed consent and family refusal. Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that attempts to determine whether an action is morally right or wrong based on whether or not it maximises the preferences of the greatest number of people, with each person's satisfaction being considered as equal to another's.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Chickenpox vaccine—should parents immunise their children privately?

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-123
Author(s):  
Sebastian J Gray ◽  
Katrina Cathie
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Varicella Vaccination ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
The Uk

Varicella zoster virus primarily causes chickenpox, usually a mild self-limiting illness of childhood. However, complications occur in 1% with 4200 annual deaths. Since the first vaccination was developed in the 1970s, many countries have introduced universal mass immunisation, but the UK currently only routinely immunises ‘at-risk’ populations. With increasing availability of private varicella vaccination, this article reviews the pros and cons of whether parents should be immunising their children with the chickenpox vaccine privately.

scholarly journals GPs and paediatric oncology palliative care: a Q methodological study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e11-e11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Neilson ◽  
Faith Gibson ◽  
Stephen Jeffares ◽  
Sheila M Greenfield
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Paediatric Oncology ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Team Player ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Consensus Time ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Knowledge Deficits

ObjectiveThis mixed-methods study set in the West Midlands region of the UK demonstrates the effectiveness of Q methodology in examining general practitioners' (GPs') perception of their role in children's oncology palliative care.MethodsUsing data obtained from the analysis of semistructured interviews with GPs who had cared for a child receiving palliative care at home and bereaved parents, 50 statements were identified as representative of the analysis findings. 32 GPs with a non-palliative child with cancer on their caseload were asked to rank the statements according to their level of agreement/disagreement on a grid. They were then asked to reflect and comment on the statements they most and least agreed with. The data were analysed using a dedicated statistical software package for Q analysis PQMethod V.2.20 (Schmolck 2012). A centroid factor analysis was undertaken initially with 7 factors then repeated for factors 1–6. Varimax and manual flagging was then completed.Results4 shared viewpoints were identified denoting different GP roles: the GP, the compassionate practitioner, the team player practitioner and the pragmatic practitioner. In addition consensus (time pressures, knowledge deficits, emotional toll) and disagreement (psychological support, role, experiential learning, prior relationships) between the viewpoints were identified and examined.ConclusionsQ methodology, used for the first time in this arena, identified 4 novel and distinct viewpoints reflecting a diverse range of GP perspectives. Appropriately timed and targeted GP education, training, support, in conjunction with collaborative multiprofessional working, have the potential to inform their role and practice across specialities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document