Q Methodology as a tool to evaluate social capital within university extension projects

Abstract

It is evaluative research with the main goal of generating knowledge about social capital construction, in extension processes oriented towards rural development. Case study was the research tool, and it was carried out in the area of Guichón, (Paysandú) to evaluate the effects of an intervention process. In this area, during 6 years an intervention process was implemented by University work teams, within the frame of an Integral Extension Program. Besides case study, Q methodology was used. Q methodology’s goal is revealing human subjectivity from the perspective of the people involved. As a result, three different groups emerged, that represent «ways of understanding the world» by family farmers. These views can be considered as different ways of evaluating the intervention process and its results, according to the perceptions of each group, about social capital improvement. We consider as another research outcome, the validation of Q methodology as a tool to evaluate extension projects regarding rural development, especially social capital achievements.