1. Constructivist Grounded Theory
Evolving GT

2. Shift in thinking
Interviews are not neutral, context-free tools for data collection
Active interactions between two people
Results are mutually negotiated and contextual

3. Ontology the nature of reality
reality has multiple constructions
Knowledge is highly contextualized by political, historical, cultural, and other influences
Reality is local and specific
Reality changes as we evolve

4. Epistemology the relationship between the researcher and subject
Transactional & subjective
Researcher and topic are linked
We do not discover knowledge, but construct it
Constructions are interpreted

5. Methodology how knowledge should be obtained
Open coding to core categories, theoretical codes, constant comparative codes
Use of active codes
Reconstruction of data
Reflective memo writing
“Author is constantly reflecting, witnessing, wondering, and accepting all at once”

6. Charmaz 1st to name her work as “constructionist”
Rather than discovering the data and theories, the researcher constructs them
Interpretation of what is happening rather than absolute reality
Any conclusions are still suggestive, incomplete, and inconclusive

7. A constructivist approach requires:
Reciprocity between participants and the researcher
Power balance
Clarification of the position the author takes

8. Establishing relationships
Not “smash & grab”
Active interactions
Reciprocal shaping of research
Results are mutually negotiated

9. Sharing the Power Data generation, not data collection
Proactively plan for the time with the participants
Time and location participants’ choice
Flexible, unstructured approach
Reflexive stance
Resist placing value on responses or participants
Intimacy through reciprocity

10. Literature Review

11. Other Theorists Robert Thornberg Jane Mills Ann Bonner Karen Francis
Antony Bryant

12. Current State of CGT
Valuable for developing theories directly from the data
Held in high regard
Contemporary inquiry
Evolving methodology capable of change

13. It is impossible to separate the inquirer from the inquired into.
It is precisely their interaction that creates
the data that will emerge from the inquiry.
Mills, Bonner, & Francis 2006