Grounded Theory Overview and History

Grounded Theory Overview

• Grounded theory (GT) is an inductive, qualitative research method.
• It was developed by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss.
• The goal is to develop new theories grounded in real-world data.
• It's used when existing theories don't explain a phenomenon or if existing theories are incomplete.
• Grounded theories are different from other theories because they are developed from data collected from the real world.
• The method is flexible and doesn't need a hypothesis.
• The inductive approach emphasizes data analysis happening alongside data collection and involves theoretical sampling.

History of Grounded Theory

• Grounded Theory was first developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss.
• The approach to qualitative research was inductive to discover new theories in grounded theory, developed in 1967.

What is Grounded Theory

• Grounded theory is a qualitative method that allows researchers to study phenomena and processes.
• It uses data analysis to create new theories.

When to Use Grounded Theory

• Use this method when a phenomenon lacks an existing theory.
• Use it if the existing theory is incomplete and inadequate.
• For instance, if the data supporting existing theories did not originate from the same participant groups the new theory is targeted at.

Data Planning

• Researchers define the area of study interest.
• Researchers may create a guide for data collection during the process.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Data analysis occurs concurrently with data collection, termed theoretical sampling.
• It’s a crucial part of grounded theory analysis.

Initial Data Collection

• The initial data collection is called theoretical sampling.
• Recruit a small number of participants, then subsequently plan for more recruits.
• Transcribe audio or video recordings for ease of analysis.

Grounded Theory Methods for Data Collection

• Use open-ended questions during interviews.
• Conduct surveys.
• Study historical, or archival data.
• Observe participants and interpret their behaviors.

Grounded Theory - Three Coding Stages

• Open Coding: Involves reading the transcript multiple times and meticulously breaking down the qualitative data into excerpts to identify key concepts.
• Axial Coding: Analyzing the data further, comparing initial findings, and summarizing concepts into themes or ideas.
• Selective Coding: Summarize the findings to identify a central idea, concept, or theme representing the core of the research.

Data Analysis into Theory

• The researcher uses the core categories and themes to create a new theory.
• They integrate concepts through selective coding.
• This creates a final grounded theory based on the data.

Advantages of Grounded Theory

• No hypothesis needed
• Flexible approach
• Multiple stages lead to improved conclusions.
• Results are data-driven, presenting demonstrable facts.

Disadvantages of Grounded Theory

• Theoretical sensitivity can be dulled by inherent bias.
• Large research topics or projects often consume a lot of time.
• Bias can occur in interpreting qualitative data.
• Qualitative data analysis itself is more complex compared to quantitative data analysis.

Grounded Theory Benefits and Challenges

• Benefits: Explaining events not explained by existing theories; a helpful approach for researchers with limited knowledge of the field; data-driven results.
• Challenges: The process requires objectivity; researchers may be overly theoretical and find it difficult to concisely address qualitative research topics.

Grounded Theory References

• Provide references to various grounded theory research publications.
• Include key authors and relevant publications or articles in the area.

Explore the foundational concepts of Grounded Theory, an inductive qualitative research method developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. This quiz covers the method's history, principles, and its application in developing theories grounded in real-world data.