Quest-Sort: A Paper-and-Pencil Alternative to Card-Sorting Q Samples

Abstract

Under conditions that might make a traditional card-sorting task infeasible,
the Quest-Sort alternative presented here could be useful. A sample of
31 students demonstrates reasonable comparability of results between the
formats, with the Quest-Sort about one-third faster to complete that
the card-sort. A second sample of employed students demonstrates the
internal validity of Quest-Sort rankings relative to both card-sorted
and paired-comparisons rankings. Second-order factor analysis also
suggests that the card-sort and the Quest-Sort elicit conceptually
similar structures.