Emerald McPhee presented a seminar titled Q-Methodology and Kaupapa Maori Research at the University of Auckland on the 4 September 2017.
Q methodology is a sensible fit for Kaupapa Māori research as it centres on the perspectives and subjectivities of participants through a bottom-up approach. Combined together the methodology opens up the possibility for an exploratory approach to research which seeks to understand complexities rather than being hypothesis driven. A Kaupapa Māori approach and Q methodology share the similarity of working across a variety of disciplines and being adaptable to and interested in different epistemologies. Baring its roots in psychological assessment of the individual, Q-methodology in health research brings forth the potential to disrupt the traditional power differentials between researcher and participant while allowing space for clusters of viewpoints to be explored and contextualised. We draw on our study Maori Health Identities funded by the Health Research Council to explore Q-methodology and its potential within Kaupapa Māori research.
Emerald Muriwai McPhee is a researcher at Te Rōpū Whāriki in the College of Health at Massey University. Emerald has a Masters in Psychology and a background in indigenous and social psychologies focusing on Māori identity, psychological distress, resilience, smoking behaviour, alcohol consumption and exercise prescription.
