A case study of applying Q-methodology to investigate the meaning of resilience

Resilience is a very complex and theoretical concept. It is difficult to investigate such abstract scientific concept using quantitative methods. The alternative is to investigate the meaning of resilience with qualitative methods such as discourse analysis, conceptual map or Q sorts. In our paper we are using Q sort in order to understand the typical grid of interpreting resilience by professionals in social sciences. The Q sort is a method developed by Stephenson that correlates different points of view of the subjects. In our case the Q sort consists in 30 statements regarding resilience (extrinsic / intrinsic on three dimensions: individual, familial and organizational resilience). The subjects are 20 professionals in social sciences (social workers, sociologists, psychologists and education science professionals). The results are analyzed with PQMethod software using factorial analysis. The outcome of the study will be a factorial model of resilience that describes the understanding of the concept by social sciences professionals. In the same time, we would like to demonstrate the usefulness of using a qualitative method in studying a theoretical concept like resilience and to stress the impact of such a particular understanding in practice.