Abstract

Techniques for finding sets of values that are relevant to attaining desired results, determining discrepancies between how different entities regard a set of values, and employing the discrepancies to determine how well individuals "fit" with other individuals or communities, how well communities fit with each other, how an entity's values compare with a desired set thereof, how an entity's values change over time, and what progress an entity is making towards acquiring value hierarchies that are useful in attaining the desired results. All of the techniques involve having entities assign values to hierarchies, with the value's position in the hierarchy being represented by a rating number upon which arithmetic operations may be performed. Discrepancies between value systems may be determined by comparing the rating numbers which the entities assign the values. Values and ratings of them that are useful for attaining a desired result may be found by selecting values that appear to be useful for attaining the desired results and having sources rate the values and specify how well they have attained the desired result. Values and ratings with a high correlation to the desired result can thus be found and used to establish an ideal hierarchy of values for reaching the desired result. Hierarchies of values of entities may then be compared with the ideal hierarchy.

Other References

• Steven R. Brown, The History and Principles of Q Methodology in Psychology and the Social Sciences, found Jun., 2001 at http://facstaff.uww.edu/cottlec/QArchive/Bps.htm