The Grounded Theory: Definition and Application

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Definition of the Grounded Theory
Starting a Research Project
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Grounded theory is typically deployed to uncover social processes, including behaviors and relationships. The critical characteristics of the model involve the simultaneous occurrence of data gathering and analysis and the use of theoretical sampling to refine categories. Other notable features of the methodology are integrating classes into a theoretical framework and using analytical memos between writing and coding (Charmaz & Belgrave, 2019). The grounded approach offers new strategies for analysis and streamlines data collection. It is essential to define grounded theory and how one can start a project using the methodology.

Definition of the Grounded Theory

Grounded theory is a qualitative approach that enables an investigator to study a specific process or phenomenon and discover new models grounded on the data collection and analysis. In contrast to the traditional presumption-deductive methodologies whereby a researcher creates a hypothesis and attempts to prove or disprove it, grounded theory is an inductive approach where modern theories are derived from the data (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). The data gathering, analysis, and model development are iterative until the researcher reaches theoretical saturation since the additional data offers no extra insight into the new theory. The grounded approach is typically utilized when no other methodology explains the studied phenomenon (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). The data collected to develop the new model is incomplete as it is not gathered from research respondents (Charmaz, 2014). The three phases of data analysis in grounded theory include axial, open, and selective coding.

Starting a Research Project

Grounded theory gives the researcher focus and flexibility and offers instruments for conducting a successful study by providing the much-needed strategies to finish the project. There is a procedure that an investigator can deploy to start a research project by using grounded theory. Firstly, the researchers must determine the initial study queries, which assists in giving guidance for the early stages of recruiting and data analysis. Secondly, with the grounded model, recruiting respondents is iterative. One can use theoretical sampling to collect data, enabling enlisting small groups of participants based on the initial study queries (Charmaz, 2014). After the researcher has some database from the in-depth interviews, the data prepared for evaluation is transitioned into transcripts. Thirdly, the investigator commences open coding, which disintegrates transcripts into excerpts and starts contrasting them with one another (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Therefore, grounded theory effectively utilizes the constant comparative method to determine the differences and similarities of particular behaviors and relationships among research variables.

Fourthly, the grounded theory enables the investigator to group excerpts having the same concept or the central idea by using open coding. The fifth phase of the grounded methodology is the axial coding that enables an investigator to compare the correlation between conducts and establish the reactions (Charmaz & Thornberg, 2021). The sixth step of the approach involves extensive analysis of more excerpts by deploying a constant comparative method, whereby the investigator analyzes extra interview transcripts and either contradiction, support, or expansion of the existing categories (Charmaz, 2014). The seventh stage involves collecting and analyzing data until theoretical saturation is attained. Lastly, the grounded theory helps the investigator to use selective coding to integrate the research findings, after which they start writing their project.

Conclusion

Grounded theory uncovers social processes, such as correlations and behaviors, and it is applied when no other approach explains the studied phenomenon. The grounded theory offers critical steps researchers use to start their research project. Such phases include determining the initial study queries, theoretical sampling, open coding, and axial coding. Other stages that assist the investigator are using the constant comparative method, attaining theoretical saturation, defining the central idea via selective coding, and writing the methodology to commence the research project.

References

Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory (2^nd ed.). Sage.

Charmaz, K., & Belgrave, L. L. (2019). Thinking about data with grounded theory. Qualitative Inquiry, 25(8), 743-753. Web.

Charmaz, K., & Thornberg, R. (2021). The pursuit of quality in grounded theory. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 305-327. Web.

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Grounded theory methodology: An overview. In N.K. Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.), Strategies of qualitative inquiry (pp. 156-183). Sage.

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The Grounded Theory: Definition and Application

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