Dataset for the analysis of farmers' perceived financial and non-financial costs of biodiversity measures by means of Q-methodology

# Q-Methodology Dataset from 34 Farmer Interviews ## Title**Q-Sorts from 34 Farmers on Perceived Financial and Non-Financial Costs of Biodiversity Programs** ## Authors- **Verena Scherfranz**, BOKU University (ORCID: 0000-0002-3496-5957)- **Lena Schaller**, BOKU University (ORCID: 0000-0002-8313-8798) ## DescriptionThis dataset contains numerical data collected during 34 structured Q methodology interviews with farmers. The purpose of the study was to examine how farmers perceive financial and non-financial costs associated with participating in biodiversity programs. The dataset includes detailed socio-demographic and farm-level information as well as the individual Q-sorts for each participant across a set of 41 statements. All data has been fully cleaned and anonymized. ## ContentsThe dataset is provided as a single Excel file containing: - **Farm and Farmer Characteristics** - Country - Farm type - Farm size - Farm management - Employment status - Years participating in biodiversity programs - Age and gender - Agricultural education - Whether the farm is family-run - **Q-Sorts** - Individual Q-sort values for 41 statements - Forced distribution ranging from **–4 (strong disagreement)** to **+4 (strong agreement)** - Statements relate to perceived *financial* and *non-financial* costs of biodiversity program participation ## MethodologyData was collected using Q methodology, which combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to identify shared viewpoints within a group of participants. In total, 34 farmers were asked to sort a **Q-set of 41 statements** into a predefined forced distribution. Ratings ranged from –4 to +4, reflecting levels of disagreement or agreement. Farm characteristics were documented to contextualize sorting patterns and support interpretation of emerging perspectives. After collection, the data was cleaned, quality-checked, and anonymized to safeguard participant privacy. ## File Format- **Excel (.xlsx)** — compatible with Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice, and Google Sheets. ## Metadata / Variable DescriptionsThe Excel file includes:- An anonymized respondent ID - Farm and demographic variables - Q-sort scores for each of the 41 statements (numeric, –4 to +4) Coding schemes and variable names are documented within the spreadsheet. ## Usage Notes- Data is anonymized and suitable for Q-methodological re-analysis, cluster interpretation, or comparison with similar Q studies. - When reusing the data, please credit the authors accordingly. - Users may consult the associated publication for methodological details and interpretation of factors. ## License**CC BY 4.0** — You may share and adapt the material with appropriate attribution. ## How to Cite*(Replace the placeholder DOI after Zenodo upload.)* > Scherfranz, V., & Schaller, L. (2025). *Q-Sorts from 34 Farmers on Perceived Financial and Non-Financial Costs of Biodiversity Programs* (Version X). Zenodo. DOI: *to be added* ## Related PublicationSchaller, L., & Scherfranz, V. (2025). *Farmers’ perceptions of financial and non-financial costs of biodiversity programs: A Q-methodology study*. Ecological Economics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108694 ## ContactFor questions regarding the dataset, please contact: **Lena Schaller**, BOKU University ORCID: 0000-0002-8313-8798