Reviving the debate: Forced or unconstrained distribution in Q method Implementation: investigation of opinions on sustainability impact of the CAP - the case of Hungary

Abstract

The paper investigates multi-stakeholders’ opinions on the CAP path towards greening and sustainability. The main analytical tool employed is Q method used to reveal whether there are systematic differences in the opinions on the EU CAP. A set of 60 statements was presented to 30 stakeholders in Hungary using convenience sampling common for Q studies. Data was generated through Q sorting in December 2024 under two distributions - the commonly used quasi-normal forced distribution and a free one. The data under both distributions was analysed through inverted factor analysis, first, without bootstrapping and, second, adding additional statistical insights from the bootstrap. The outcome indicated three groups (factors) without any meaningful differences according to the distribution. Overall, the factors showed widespread scepticism towards CAP greening and sustainability. Neither standard errors by statements generated by bootstrapping nor the estimated bias showed significant differences according to the distribution. It is worth replicating the study under different type of forced distribution and splitting the sessions with forced and free distribution in time to avoid respondents memorising their ranking under forced conditions and reproducing them under free choice.