Categorizing College Students by Academic Attitudes: An Application of Q-Methodology Approach

Academic attitudes of college students vary greatly and the difference of learners' academic attitudes may lead to difference in academic performance. Traditional questionnaire-based survey has limitations in exploring respondents' subjectivity. This study uses Q-methodology to categorize college students by their academic attitudes, based on self-reported opinions of first-year undergraduate students. The factors resulting from Q-methodology represent clusters of subjectivity that are operant and can be functionally utilized. By analysis, four types of attitude are identified: self-disciplined; lower motivation; discontent; and lecturing dependent. However, the study does not currently find significant differences in academic performance among four corresponding student groups.