Structural and functional information

Fernandes and Simon propose to examine decision making in complex and ambiguous situations by inviting various professionals (architects, doctors, engineers, and lawyers) to contemplate a paradoxical case, but the thoughts which this exercise generates are then summarized in terms of categories proposed a priori (structural information). A functional approach, by way of contrast, endeavors to examine a phenomenon as closely as possible in terms of its intrinsic character. An alternative is presented using Q methodology and factor analysis as a way to reveal functional responses to the same decision making scenario employed by Fernandes and Simon.