Some empirical explorations of the use of the Galois lattice approach are presented as an alternative to the more traditional algorithm used by the Q-analysis research community. The explorations are conducted in the context of three fields of study: prey—predator relations, social networks, and clinical psychiatry. It is suggested that the Galois lattice approach is superior to the traditional Q-analysis algorithm on grounds of accuracy, precision, and economy, and that data interpretation previously guided by the traditional algorithm should be reappraised.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AtkinR H, 1974Mathematical Structure in Human Affairs (Heinemann Educational Books, London).
2.
CohenJ E, 1978Food Webs and Niche Space (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ)
3.
CowleyP, 1985, “An investigation of patients' attitudes to ECT using the methodology of Q-analysis”Psychological Medicine15131–139
4.
DoreianP, 1969, “A note on the detection of cliques in valued graphs”Sociometry32237–242
5.
DoreianP, 1980, “On the evolution of group and network structure”Social Networks2235–252
6.
DoreianP, 1981, “Polyhedral dynamics and conflict mobilization in social networks”Social Networks3107–116
7.
DoreianP, 1982, “On the delineation of small group structures” in Classifying Social Data Ed. HudsonH C (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA) pp 215–230
8.
FreemanL C, 1980, “Q-analysis and the structure of friendship networks”International Journal of Man—Machine Studies12367–378
9.
GatrellA C, 1983Distance and Space (Clarendon Press, Oxford)
10.
GriffithsH B, 1983, “Using mathematics to simplify Q-analysis”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design10403–422
11.
HoY-S, 1982, “The planning process: Structure of verbal descriptions”Environment and Planning B9397–420
12.
JohnsonJ H, 1983, “Q-analysis: A theory of stars”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design10457–469
13.
MacGillS M, 1983, “Cluster analysis and Q-analysis”International Journal of Man—Machine Studies20595–604
14.
MacGillS M, 1985a, “Structural analysis of social data: A guide to Ho's Galois lattice approach a partial respecification of Q-analysis”Environment and Planning A171089–1109
15.
MacGillS M, 1985b, “A re-appraisal of Q-analysis” WP-452, School of Geography, University Leeds, Leeds
16.
MacGillS M, 1986, “Child leukaemia around Sellafield; what Seascale said about the Black Report”School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds
17.
OreO, 1942, “Mathematical relations and structures”Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society48169–182
18.
SpoonerRBattyM, 1981, “Networks of urban systems analysts”Environment and Planning B8449–475
19.
SpringerT, 1985, “Q-analysis through its applications”School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds
