All About: Grounded Theory

Edward Kwesi Acquah

The study seeks to examine the role of theory in qualitative research and practice placing emphasis on grounded theory. Qualitative research methodology was used for the study after a careful review and examining of literature. The study revealed that the most well-known and dependable rigorous qualitative methodology in the social sciences has proven to be grounded theory. It is recognized that the development of a theory describing social interactions requires methodical techniques to data collecting, analysis, and conceptualization. In qualitative research, it is the methodology that encourages credibility rather than validity and reliability. The advantages and qualities of grounded theory are beneficial to society. Grounded theory has been incredibly successful at collecting data, analyzing it, and creating ideas based on the researchers' actual experiences. Grounded theory can be intuitive, engaging, and can gather a lot of data. It also encourages creativity and provides a methodical approach to the examination of qualitative data. Following a set of methodical steps is required when applying grounded theory in order to produce successful qualitative research findings. The generated theory in grounded theory guides data recollection and reanalysis to assess the significance and applicability of the data collected. It is also known that generalization is a less commonly studied and regarded as a complex and contentious issue in grounded theory. In general, researchers that employ grounded theory do not begin with a hypothesis. However, the interaction between data collection, data analysis, and consequential theory contributes to the development of the theory.

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 2016

Grounded theory is a qualitative research methodology that aims to explain social phenomena, e.g. why particular motivations or patterns of behaviour occur, at a conceptual level. Developed in the 1960s by Glaser and Strauss, the methodology has been reinterpreted by Strauss and Corbin in more recent times, resulting in different schools of thought. Differences arise from different philosophical perspectives concerning knowledge (epistemology) and the nature of reality (ontology), demanding that researchers make clear theoretical choices at the commencement of their research when choosing this methodology. Compared to other qualitative methods it has ability to achieve understanding of, rather than simply describing, a social phenomenon. Achieving understanding however, requires theoretical sampling to choose interviewees that can contribute most to the research and understanding of the phenomenon, and constant comparison of interviews to evaluate the same event or process in different settings or situations. Sampling continues until conceptual saturation is reached, i.e. when no new concepts emerge from the data. Data analysis focusses on categorising data (finding the main elements of what is occurring and why), and describing those categories in terms of properties (conceptual characteristics that define the category and give meaning) and dimensions (the variations within properties which produce specificity and range). Ultimately a core category which theoretically explains how all other categories are linked together is developed from the data. While achieving theoretical abstraction in the core category, it should be logical and capture all of the variation within the data. Theory development requires understanding of the methodology not just working through a set of procedures. This article provides a basic overview, set in the literature surrounding grounded theory, for those wanting to increase their understanding and quality of research output. Keywords Data collection Á Grounded theory Á Interviews as topic Á Methods Á Qualitative research Á Research philosophy

Qualitative Report, 2014

2013

1. IntroductionOne of the main problems of conducting interpretive qualitative research is to decide an appropriate starting point for the research, and the basic framework within which the data will be collected and analysed. Qualitative studies tend to produce large amounts of data that are not readily amenable to mechanical manipulation, analysis and data reduction (Yin, 1984). It not only generates large amount of data, but it generates data in a non standard format which makes analysis problematic (Turner, 1983). Qualitative analysis provides an opportunity for the researcher to gain information and gather insights that may be overlooked with traditional data analysis techniques. The analysis of the case study is done in pursuant to guidance provided by many scholars in this field, (such as Glaser, 1978; Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Lofland and Lofland, 1984; and Taylor and Bogdan, 1984).The process of data analysis in qualitative research involves working with data, organising it...

The most critical issue addressed in this paper pertains to the possibility of employing the theory of M. S. Archer in the research conducted by means of the grounded theory methodology. At first glance this operation seems hardly plausible if carried out without renouncing one of the basic tenets of the above methodological strategy. The seminal work of Glaser and Strauss in The Discovery of Grounded Theory [2009], has already signalled the necessity to constrain pre-conceptualisation before initiating research in a given field. This precept is quoted in works which treat grounded theory methodology as a major guideline. The initial acceptance of a specific theory and its related concepts might result in the scientist focusing their attention on concrete phenomena and in doing so, ultimately falling into the trap of 'data forcing'. Thereby, the consequence might well be the omission of vital, and very specific events or processes, which in another more natural situation, could freely emerge. Intuitively, we can assert that the postulate of non-assumptivity is not easy to fulfil. Apart from certain cultural codes and the conviction implanted in them in the socialisation process, researchers have some sociological points of view, for example, in the form of a generally preferred application of paradigms and theories. Moreover, they possess certain knowledge about examined fragments of reality acquired by means of external media, and constituted from both facts as well as their own interpretations. Nonetheless, they may still try to 'take in brackets' the akin propensities, and go on to register the observed phenomena accurately and objectively.

In social research, the choice of research methodology depends on the pursued research aim and objectives. Social investigators utilize qualitative methods if interested in understanding human behavior patterns in specific situations and contexts (Newman, 2013). Qualitative researchers also assume a dynamic, social, and negotiated reality, which finds reflection in the informant’s perspective. When concerned with facts about social phenomena, social researchers prefer quantitative methodology. In this case, they assume a fixed, objective, and measurable perspective (Newman, 2013).

In this literature review paper, the researcher has done some efforts to identify and further to elaborate the basic components of a research methods chapter that are integral part of any research paper while conducting grounded theory approach. Grounded theory is one of the data collection approach in qualitative research methods which is totally based on data rather than try to emerge theory from data. There are bulk of books and research papers written by world renowned researchers and authors but the aim of this paper is to help the early stage researchers in conducting their projects in grounded theory approach. In this paper, the researcher has shed light on history of grounded theory, how this theory rather approach works, target population, sampling technique, data collection methods and the role of a researcher in this whole research process, and another essential part of a qualitative research, ethics which play a crucial role while conducting and gathering a qualitative data, have also been discussed in this paper.

Nursing Reports, 2016

The research approach of grounded theory (henceforth as GT) is one of the common qualitative methodology in social sciences and lately in Nursing which has constantly been confronted with ambiguities regarding its application and particularly its operationalization. It is attempted in this article to offer the true nature, application and measures for a more suitable application of this approach by reviewing its relevant literature in different disciplines. This article is the result of reviewing different databases through 1990 to 2011 and also referring to the main texts in GT research. At the end, it must be mentioned that although the GT research approach is an appealing method, especially in Nursing and enjoys a lot of rigor with regard to dealing with the favorite phenomena of the nurses, the researcher's expectations must be realistic about it. In addition, alongside clarification, which is a social process among a group of individuals, it can be used in presenting model and instrumentation by following the principles and also for providing examination and caring manuals and the required interventions by using the qualitative outcome analysis in order to operationalize it.