Table 2 Difference between R-type and Q-type, a kind of factor analysis

R-type Q-type
Study subject Data based on the objective measurement of the researcher Subjective data such as the state of mind
Objectivity Application of objective measurement tools Complete exclusion of individual subjectivity Naturally expressing one‘s perception of a particular subject according to the research participant(subject)‘s frame
Data collecting According to the researcher‘s point of view, assumed variables are represented as measurable indices. The operational definition and scale of the variables are determined by the researcher. The researcher does not determine operational definitions and measures for the variables. The research participants (subjects) voluntarily express their opinions on the research topic.
Analysis method Factor analysis based on comparisons between individual variables or relationships between several variables Factor analysis based on correlation between humans
Study purpose Discover the structural features of the study subject Identify the structure of subjective opinions or perceptions of subjects on a particular subject