Conjoins Q methodology with the interviewing techniques of the oral historian in a study of eight surviving contributors to "The Anvil," a midwestern proletarian magazine of the 1920s and 1930s. Finds four factors, labeled as the patron, the revolutionary artist, the Jack Conroy factor, and the humanist. Discusses the limitations and advantages of…

Discusses Q methodology in light of modern philosophy of science and hermeneutics. Outlines and discusses the basic steps of conducting Q-method research. Suggests that Q methodology allows researchers to understand and interpret the subjective text of respondents without confounding them with external categories of theoretical reflection. (RS)

Distinguishes Q methodology from conventional hypothetico-deductive methodologies and from conventional communication approaches. Illustrates epistemological principles through a single-case study of cultural narcissism examined in terms of responses to pictures appearing in "Time" magazine. (RS)