The Group Dynamics Q-Sort in Organizational Research: A New Method for Studying Familiar Problems

Abstract

This article unveils a new research methodology for the study of group decision making in organizations-the group dynamics q-sort (GDQ). The GDQ is a 100-item instrument designed to study group process across a wide variety of situations and using a wide variety of data sources. It combines the descriptive richness of the qualitative approach with the rigor of a quantitative approach by creating a common data language to describe process across groups, observers, and time. This article introduces the GDQ in the following five sections: (a) the development of the group dynamics q-sort, (b) comparisons of the GDQ with other traditional research methods (i.e., questionnaires, case studies, experiments, and behavioral process coding), (c) the mechanics of employing the GDQ, (d) a demonstration of the method for studying dynamic group processes over time, and (e) summary and other potential applications of the method.

A Dynamic Perspective on Diverse Teams: Moving from the Dual-Process Model to a Dynamic Coordination-based Model of Diverse Team Performance

“…As these examples suggest, measuring variables in the short term based on group member behaviors may reveal different underlying interactions than are expected based on aggregated measures (cf. Peterson, Owens, & Martorana, 1999). In both cases, switching from one level of analysis to another fundamentally changes the effect of the construct (i.e., relationship conflict, idea evaluation) on group outcomes-the aggregated variables have negative consequences for group outcomes, whereas many micro-behaviors are benign or even beneficial for groups.…”

Energizing organizational research: Advancing the energy field with group concepts and theories

“…Group dynamics Q-sort -Peterson, Owens and Martorana (1999) [110]. The group dynamics Q-sort identifies the context in which groups make decisions by asking about interactions, boundaries and contexts [110].…”

Exploring Faculty Perspectives on Community Engaged Scholarship: The Case for Q Methodology

“…Q was developed by psychologist William Stephenson in the early 1930s (Brown, 1980), and is described as "qualiquantological" (Watts & Stenner, 2005, p. 69) because it integrates qualitative and quantitative analyses (McKeown & Thomas, 1988), allowing it to address some of the weaknesses of each respective methodology (Peterson, owens, & Martorana, 1999). As comfort with social constructivist and other non-positivist epistemologies has increased, interest in Q increased, and examples of Q studies are available across a wide variety of disciplines in the social sciences (Brown, 1986(Brown, , 2006Jay, 1969;McKeown & Thomas;Watts & Stenner).…”