GROUNDED THEORY

Categories are events, happenings and instances of the phenomenon being investigated. Categories form units of analysis.

A number of categories are initially formed from 'open coding'. Later in 'axial coding' the analyst interrelates categories to form a visual model just like the model shown in the Infographic. 'Selective coding' is the final stage to develop the grounded theory.This may be a further abstraction to achieve a robust theory.


Steps in the process of Grounded Theory

1. Decide the focus for the study - what is the phenomenon being studied?

2. Identify causal conditions. Put differently, those conditions that give rise to the phenomenon.

3. Identify phenomena from study participants.

4. Identify specific contexts and dimensions. These might be observations or conversations from those taking part in the study.

5. Identify intervening conditions i.e. broader conditions that influence the phenomenon being investigated. 

6. Identify strategies adopted by participants.

7. Identify consequences - intended or unintended.



​​AN INTRODUCTION TO GROUNDED THEORY METHOD

  • Research Methods
  • Resources
  • Readings
  • Links

Further Reading


Charmaz, K.C. (2006). Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through Qualitative Analysis London: Sage.


Glaser, B. (1978). Advances in the methodology of grounded theory: Theoretical sensitivity California: The Sociology Press.


Glaser, B. and Strauss, A.L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research Chicago: Aldine.


Goulding, C. (2005). Grounded theory, ethnography and phenomenology: A comparative analysis of three qualitative strategies for marketing research. European Journal of Marketing, 39, 294-308.


Hammersley, M. (2010). A Historical and Comparative Note on the Relationship Between Analytic Induction and Grounded Theorising. . Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 11.


Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research : Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques London Sage.


RESEARCH METHODS

This page has discussions of research methods. A number of qualitative and quantitative methods and approaches are discussed. There are also links to resources, external websites, slides, papers and readings

Contestabilities


Researchers often question how it is possible to assume no knowledge by starting with data. This is somewhat of a misunderstanding. It arises because of the way the literature is used in GT studies. It is not used to search for theories that inform the study to generate hypotheses and test them in the way one might in a quantitative study. Remember GT is building theory from data by categorizing and conceptualizing actions, interactions studying participants in the field. It is a way of removing bias in data gathering and analysis.


GT is no different in many ways from other social research that begins by 'bracketing' i.e. setting aside any prejudice to avoid bias in selecting data. It is not a 'tabula rasa' in the Lockean sense that nothing is known. Although the method is able to accommodate researchers who acquire knowledge as the study develops through means of the constant comparative.

CODING STEPS IN GROUNDED THEORY STUDIES


1. Data are all around us. The main sources might be observations (of actions and interactions), interviews (with participants in the study), documents (reports, forms, records, images etc.). Once we gather data we are up and running. We can 'open code' to develop categories as we go.


2. Axial Coding- We can adopt the 'constant comparative' moving between different data sources including literature on the topic. Memoing takes place as we conduct this coding (open and axial). In essence we write down our evolving ideas of what is happening. For example, to generate initial propositions or hypotheses (cause and effect).This way we have a record of how our ideas change over time or at each stage of the study. Memoing is a means of  interpreting the data.


Properties and sub-categories may emerge at this stage of the process as ideas develop.


3 Selective Coding systematically relates categories from axial coding to the central phenomenon to theorise. This step validates relationships and identifies categories that are data thin that require further refining or development.


Once you find that new data does not add anything to understanding it is called saturation. Once saturation is reached it is time to close down the data collection and refine and develop theory grounded in data.