Grounded Theory Overview Dave Stachowiak, Ed.D. Innovate Learning, LLC

About Me  Dale Carnegie Training (since 2004)  Innovate Learning (since 2006)  EDOL alum – July, 2011

What Is Grounded Theory?  Qualitative methodology  The process of developing a theory that is grounded in the experience of practitioners in the field, rather than the research literature (Leedy & Ormrod, 2005)  Useful when there is little or no prior research  Useful to study a process used by a group (Creswell, 2007)

The Players  Glaser (and Strauss - originally)  You start with nothing – not prescriptive  Corbin and Strauss (2008)  Researcher discovers theory in the data through a structured process  Charmaz (2006)  How you the researcher interpret and construct theory is just as important as how study participants do

Corbin and Strauss Process  Open coding  Developing categories  #p/u/17/Dfd_U-24egg #p/u/17/Dfd_U-24egg  Axial coding  Interconnecting categories  Selective coding  Decide what’s important and build the story

Why I Used Grounded Theory  Limited research on executive coaching and virtually none on MBTI and coaching  Research question about process  What is the process by which executive coaches use the results of the MBTI to develop coachees? (Stachowiak, 2011)

Data Collection – Stage 1  Online survey to screened for sample population characteristics  169 survey responses  31 qualified for stage 2 and 26 agreed to be contacted  15 interviews conducted  13 women, 2 men  Representation from 8 states, Canada, and UK

Data Collection – Stage 2  The 15 participants greatly exceeded the screening requirements of the study:  Average 67.3 hours (9 hours was required)  Average 81.3% of coachees with P&L responsibility (50% was required)  Average 87.3% MBTI Use (33% was required)  15 study participant interviews conducted via phone and recorded/transcribed  Grounded theory analysis completed

Results

Three Pieces of Advice  Start now if you can (literature review)  Perfectionism will kill you  Decide what you want from the degree

Life After the Degree  Coaching skills development  Training/facilitation/consulting  Coaching Skills for Leaders podcast  Faculty opportunities  Productivity and technology coaching  TechCouple podcast

Resources site: Dave Stachowiak, Ed.D. (877) LEARN-45