We wrote this document to help familiarize graduate students and new researchers to Q methodology. While there are other excellent primers that introduce the method, what seemed to be missing was a document that would help novices to the field work through a Q study in a step-by-step manner from inception to completion. A large part of this document is essentially a highly practical tutorial on how to carry through a Q study. We address basic elements such as how to print and prepare Q cards, how to physically carry out a Q sort with a participant, and how to use the PCMethod computer program to enter and analyze data. Interpreting the outcome of the computer analysis involves judgment and experience. We suggest some techniques that novices can use to gain this experience. Throughout the document, we highlight controversial themes about the method and present and defend our stances on those issues. Our experience with using the method comes exclusively from applications in environmental policymaking. It is because of this that the examples we use in the text are taken from environmental studies. We were originally introduced to Q method by Rob Krueger and Will Focht about fifteen years ago. Since that time we have had the opportunity to learn from many colleagues and to introduce many new students and researchers to the method. It is our hope that this document will continue to promote learning and exchange among scholars as well as illustrate how Q method can be a valuable research tool.