1. Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e
Grounded Theory

2. Grounded Theory: Definition and Background
The purpose of grounded theory is to develop a theory for an action or process that is “grounded” in the viewpoints of the participants
Systematic grounded theory originated in with Glanzer and Strauss as a contrast to the a priori theoretical orientations in sociology
Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e

3. Grounded Theory: Definition and Background
Charmaz (2006) has advocated for a constructivist approach
Clark (2006) argues that social situations should be the unit of analysis for grounded theory
Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e

4. Types of Grounded Theory Studies: The Systematic Approach
The approach is systematic and is used to develop a theory that explains a process, action, or interaction.
The participants are chosen by theoretical sampling to help the researchers form the best theories
The data is collected mainly through interviews during multiple visits to the field to saturate categories (happenings, events, documents)
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5. Types of Grounded Theory Studies: The Systematic Approach
The data analysis can alternate with data collection
The data analysis consists of open coding, axial coding and selective coding with a visual model developed during the axial coding phase
The theory that is developed is articulated at the end of the study in a narrative statement, visual model or a series of hypotheses or propositions
Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e

6. Types of Grounded Theory Studies: The Constructivist Approach
The approach exists within the interpretive tradition with flexible guidelines
The focus of the theory is based on the researcher’s interpretation
The focus in the approach is on learning about the experiences within hidden networks, situations, relationships, and making visible hidden hierarchies of power
The emphasis in the approach is placed on views, values, beliefs, feelings, and ideologies of individuals
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7. Types of Grounded Theory Studies: The Constructivist Approach
The coding emphasizes the use of active codes such as gerund-based phrases (e.g., “recasting life”) (Charmaz, 2006)
The role of the researcher is not minimized in the process
The researcher brings personal values, experiences to the process as well as making decisions regarding priorities and questions to be asked of the data
The conclusions are suggestive, incomplete, and inconclusive
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8. Grounded Theory Research Procedures: Strauss & Corbin (1990, 1998)
Determine if grounded theory is best suited for the research problem
Focus research questions on understanding how individuals experience the process and identify the steps in the process
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9. Grounded Theory Research Procedures: Strauss & Corbin (1990, 1998)
Conduct interviews with participants
Questions focus on the steps in the process
Additional questions focus on what was central to the process, the causes of the phenomenon, the strategies employed during the process, and the effects or consequences that occurred
Data collection occurs until there is saturation
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10. Grounded Theory Research Procedures: Strauss & Corbin (1990,1998)
Data collection proceeds in stages
Open coding – researcher forms categories of information about the phenomenon by segmenting the information into dimensionalized categories
Axial coding – categories are assembled into a visual model in which the researcher identifies a central phenomenon (category that describes what the process is), causes, strategies, contexts, intervening conditions, and consequences (outcomes)
Selective coding – a story line that connects the categories
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11. Grounded Theory Research Procedures: Strauss & Corbin (1990,1998)
The researcher develops a visual model that portrays the social, historical, and economic conditions that influence the central phenomenon
The theory that results is a substantive-level theory that addresses a specific problem or people
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12. Grounded Theory Example: Morrow & Smith (1995)
Overview of the study
The study focused on the survival and coping strategies of 11 women that experienced childhood sexual abuse
The study included an extensive passage on data coding of information and memoing
The authors developed a visual model of the process that was focused around the central category of threatening or dangerous feelings along with helplessness, powerlessness, and lack of control
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13. Grounded Theory Example: Morrow & Smith (1995) (cont.)
Overview of the methodology
The authors collected data from personal interviews, focus groups and participant observation
The authors coded the data and formed categories of data (open coding)
The data were reassembled into a visual model which consisted of a central phenomenon (central category), causes, contexts, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences (outcomes)
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14. Grounded Theory Example: Morrow & Smith (1995) (cont.)
Features of grounded theory
The authors mentioned that their purpose was to generate a theory using a construct-oriented approach
The grounded theory procedure was discussed and used the framework of systematic grounded theory
The study included a visual model of the theory
The language of the article was scientific and objective while at the same time it addressed a sensitive topic with emotion
Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e

15. Words to Use in Encoding a Grounded Theory Purpose Statement
Generate
Develop propositions
Process
Substantive theory
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16. The Purpose Statement: A Grounded Theory Example
Elements of Grounded Theory Develop a theory
Describe a process
Theory is based on the data from participants
The primary purpose of this article is to present a grounded theory of academic change that is based upon research guided by two major research questions: What are the major sources of academic change? What are the major processes through which academic change occurs? For purposes of this paper, grounded theory is defined as theory generated from data systematically obtained and analyzed through the constant comparative method. (Conrad, 1978, p. 101)
grounded theory
processes
theory generated
from data
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17. Grounded Theory: Overall Rhetorical Structure
Present the theory that develops
Often written in a scientific way (e.g., questions, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion)
Include open, axial, and theoretical coding
Discuss how the theory relates to existing knowledge
Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e

18. Grounded Theory: Broad Writing Parameters (Strauss & Corbin, 1990)
Develop a clear analytic story
Write on a conceptual level with limited description
Specify the relationship among categories
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19. Grounded Theory: Embedded Rhetorical Structure
Specify variations and relevant conditions, consequences and intervening conditions that impact the theory
Variations in types of data analysis presented: description, categories, linking categories, level of theory
Variations in stating the relationships: discursive statements, formal propositions or hypotheses, a model, storyline
Variations in the model or logic diagram: linear, circular
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20. Challenges of Grounded Theory Research
The researcher needs to set aside theoretical ideas or notions so that the substantive theory can emerge
The researcher may have difficulty in determining when categories are saturated or when theory is sufficiently detailed
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21. Challenges of Grounded Theory Research
The researcher has little flexibility when using the Strauss and Corbin approach; there is little flexibility because the theory that is developed consists of prescribed categories
The researcher will find that the Charmaz (2006) approach has more flexibility
Creswell Qualitative Inquiry 2e

22. Reporting Structures Introduction (problem, questions)
Research procedures (grounded theory, data collection, analysis, outcomes)
Open coding
Axial coding
Selective coding and theoretical propositions and models
Discussion of theory and contrasts with extant literature
(Adapted from Strauss & Corbin, 1990)