PCT as the basis of a methodology

A topic in research methodology

Personal construct theory provides a theoretical perspective on the way people make sense of their experiences/worlds.

Research tools

Kelly’s theory developed from his work as a psychologist/counsellor. He devised research techniques to explore his client’s ‘construct systems’ of their worlds:

Method or methodology?

The method of triads and the grid are data collection techniques (‘methods’). We might refer to “Kelly’s methodology” as a collective term for his set of tools seen from within constructive alternativism.

If we employ PCT as the basis of our theoretical perspective, and this informs our research questions, and leads to us building a research design using Kelly’s techniques for collection and analysis of data, then we might claim to be using Kelly’s methodology.

PCT provides both a theoretical perspective (constructive alternativism) and research tools for including in a research design (after Figure 2 in Taber, 2014).

Variations on Kelly’s methods:

Walker and Winter (2007) report a range of variations on Kelly’s original approach that have been applied as alternative forms of grids or as means to elicit constructs to include in grids (see their review for further details):

  • Construct-construct grids.
  • Element-element grids.
  • Laddering and pyramiding
  • ABC technique
  • Self-characterization and textual analysis.
  • Construct content analysis
  • Interview methods.
  • Questionnaires.
  • Visual techniques

An approach that is close to Kelly’s but with a more rigid structure is Q methodology.

Sources cited:

My introduction to educational research:

Taber, K. S. (2013). Classroom-based Research and Evidence-based Practice: An introduction (2nd ed.). London: Sage.

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