An illustrated invitation to use Q-method in IS Research

Abstract

Q-method has been invented in 50’s by William Stephenson, a psychologist, in order to explore human subjectivity. It is now regularly used in several social sciences and humanities. Research in information systems is an exception with only 14 empirical Q-studies since the first one in 1987. The Q-method has however several strengths and contributes to explore central aspects in IS such as perceptions, interpretations, social representations. The aim of this article is to propose a view of the methodological opportunities this method offers to ISR as well as an illustration of its use in the m-commerce field. It is thus an invitation to use this still underutilized method.