qfactor: A new Stata program for Q-methodology analysis

Q-methodology is a research method in which qualitative data are analyzed using quantitative techniques. It has the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods and can be regarded as a bridge between these two approaches. Q-methodology can be used in any field of research where the outcome variable involves assessment of subjectivity, including attitudes, perceptions, feelings and values, life experiences such as stress and quality of life, and individual concerns such as self-esteem, body image, and satisfaction. Although it was introduced by William Stephenson in 1935, it has recently emerged as a more widely used method, mainly because of advances in its statistical analysis component. In Q-methodology an inverted factor analysis is used to identify salient viewpoints, as well as commonly shared views on subjective issues, thereby providing unique insights into the richness of human subjectivity. Only a limited number of programs offer Q-methodology analysis. Although there are many Stata users in the Q-methodology community, there is no program for Q-methodology in Stata. In this presentation, I will introduce a new program, qfactor, that was written in Stata and that not only includes common features in other programs but also adds many new technical features.