Table 3 Professional feedback on three traditional research methods

Q-Methodology

Will elicit a good understanding of community views of factors associated with early child health and development.

Too many statements will be challenging in a low literacy population. It will require a lot of work in a short time frame.

Good grid structure, simple and clear to understand.

Need additional software for analysis (Uses R-Methodology).

“Think-out-loud” protocol is desirable. It allows for the reasoning behind factor placement to be captured.

Data analysis groups participants according to similar viewpoints not exploratory in nature.

Rank Order Methods

Less complex data analysis than Q-methodology. Useful for initial instrument development.

No grid. It does not allow for any topics to be given an equal weighting.

Easy to understand. There is a simple linear structure associated with priority or preference ranking.

Not as interesting or engaging as the other two research methods for participants. We want them to want to take part in future projects.

Photo-Elicitation

Less text, images allow for individuals own interpretation of the aim. As the study is exploratory this may be helpful.

Less stringent research method. Will data gained still be worthwhile with a lack of numerical data.

Images generally make difficult topics more accessible and easier to discuss. Broaching them is less probing than asking direct questions.

Timeline too short to allow participants to take their own photos (i.e. Photo-Voice). Images would need to be pre-generated.