Grounded Theory Constant comparative analysis with data collected during research Generating theory and doing social research are two parts of the same process THEORY DATA Conceptual Density: Concept development depending on deep familiarity with the data and regular verification and analysis Fluid: Embrace interaction of different actors, emphasize temporality and process 3 Levels of Analysis - No interpretation and abstraction of data presentation - participants tell their own story - Descriptive narrative creation using field notes, interview transcripts & researcher interpretations - Building a theory using high levels of interpretation and abstraction

What Grounded Theory is NOT Reason to ignore the literature An excuse for absence of methodology Theory testing, content analysis, or word counts Presentation of raw data

Organisation & Coding of Data Field Notes- Taken during observation/research Memos- Tie data together, ongoing, explain concepts that appear in data, a quick way to capture thoughts tied to the emerging theory Coding- A cyclical, flexible process Open-looking for patterns/categories, breaking up data into categories Axial- linking categories Selective- categories into theory Constant Comparison- comparing data, new vs. old, concepts vs. data, verification process Theoretical Sampling- locating emerging categories in transcripts/notes, guides data collection Theoretical Saturation- no new information is being discovered

CODING OF DATA OPEN CODING: LOOK FOR PATTERNS/CATEGORIES FIELD RESEARCH THEORY AXIAL CODING: LINKING CATEGORIES SELECTIVE CODING: CATEGORIES INTO THEORY COMPARISON CONSTANT MEMO WRITING

Applying to Data Observation Ethnography Interviews Focus Groups Case Study Material Documentary Sources Grounded Theory is best utilized in instances where there is a large amount of qualitative data that has formed in unpredictable ways. The researcher creates meaning of the data through systematic analysis. (Lawrence, J., & Tar, U., 2013)

Strengths Recognized rationale for qualitative research Variety of methods available to use (interviews, observations, survey etc) Focus on the practical Systematic analysis of data (codes and categories) Analysis can use computer software for coding and sorting of data Development of theories from data Explanations based on reality and empirical evidence Flexibility

Weaknesses Inhibits precise planning (cannot predict sample in advance) Researcher bias (researcher influenced by their own culture and experience) Analysis complicated (use of codes and categories) Not open to alternative interpretations Relies too heavily on empirical data Balancing prior knowledge with new concepts Generalising potential limited Difficult to have a specific time scale of research

Who developed the grounded theory method? Barney Glaser & Anselm Strauss in the 1960s. Differed on the details of implementation Strauss and Corbin published Basics of qualitative research: grounded theory procedures and techniques. Glaser and others saw this as an “erosion” of the original methodology

Most Commonly Used Models 1.Classic grounded theory (CGT) 2.Qualitative data analysis (QDA) or ‘Straussian grounded theory’ 3.Constructivist grounded theory 4.Feminist grounded theory Many researchers “pick and mix” between methods without explaining differences, leaving readers to assume they use the same methods of data analysis.

References Charmaz, K. (2000): ‘Grounded Theory: Objectivist and constructivist methods’. In N. Denzin, & Y. Lincoln, (eds), Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp ) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Denscombe, M. (2003). The Good Research Guide: for small scale research projects. Maidenhead, PA: Open University Press. Dillon, D. R Grounded Theory and Qualitative Research. The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics. Evans, G.L. (2013): A novice researcher’s first walk through the maze of grounded theory: rationalization for classical grounded theory. The Grounded Theory Review, 12: 1 pp Fernandez, C. (2012): Guest editorial, Themed section. The Grounded Theory Review, 11 (1), 7-28 Glaser, B. (1978): Theoretical Sensitivity: Advances in the Methodology of Grounded Theory. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press. Glaser,B. (1992): Basics of Grounded Theory Analysis: Emergence v Forcing. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press Goethals, G.R., Sorenson, G.J., and Burns, J.M.( 2004): Encycopaedia of Leadership Grounded Theory. Sage Knowledge, pp

References Continued Goulding, C. (2005). Grounded theory, ethnography and phenomenology. A comparative analysis of three qualitative strategies for marketing research. European Jounral of Marketing, 39: 3/4, Lawrence, J., & Tar, U. (2013). The use of Grounded Theory Technique as a Practical Tool for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 11(1). Suddaby, R. (2006). From the editors: What grounded theory is not. Academy of management journal, 49(4), Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990): Basics of qualitative research: grounded theory procedures and techniques London: Sage Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1994). Grounded theory methodology. Handbook of qualitative research, Wuest, J. (1995): ‘Feminist grounded theory: and exploration of the congruency and tensions between two traditions in knowledge discovery’. Qualitative Health Research, 5 (1),