Young Children's Participation in a Q Study with Visual Images: Some Comments on Reliability and Validity

Abstract

In
this study we discuss various aspects of the participation of young
children as informants in research relating to their own adjustment and
behavior. We ask whether it is meaningful to include young children as
participants in this kind of research, and if Q methodology using visual
images is a suitable research method that may give reliable and valid
results. An example is given through a study of 20 children aged five.
The conclusion is that this may be a suitable approach, and that there
are indications that the results are both reliable and valid. However,
more research is needed to explore the usefulness of Q methodology with
visual images in studies of very young children.