Using Q-methodology in program evaluation: a case study of student perceptions of actual and ideal dietetics...

Education and program evaluation have rarely included students or clients. Their role in evaluation can be facilitated, however, by Q-methodology. In this article, Q-methodology is described, an illustrative case study is presented, and applications in dietetics are discussed. The case study is a program evaluation of The American Dietetic Association's new Standards of Education (SOE) from the student perspective. The SOE emphasize outcome, whereas the former Essentials of Education (EOE) emphasized process. Students from four programs using the SOE and five programs using the EOE completed two Q-sorts; in one they described their perceptions of their actual program, and in the other their perceptions of an ideal program. Students in SOE programs accurately perceived the outcome emphasis of their actual programs and students in EOE programs perceived the process emphasis of their actual programs. Students in both programs perceived an ideal program as process oriented. In SOE programs, the ideal was so different from the actual that we concluded that students were dissatisfied with their programs. In EOE programs, the views of actual and ideal programs were similar; thus, students seemed satisfied with their programs. The case study illustrates ways students can participate in program evaluation.