Grounded theory

Grounded theory is an inductive methodology that provides systematic

guidelines for gathering, synthesizing, analyzing, and conceptualizing
qualitative data for the purpose of theory construction
Grounded Theory: Simple Definition and Examples
Design of Experiments > Grounded Theory

What is Grounded Theory?

Grounded theory involves the collection and analysis of data. The theory is “grounded” in actual data, which means
the analysis and development of theories happens after you have collected the data. It was introduced by Glaser &
Strauss in 1967 to legitimize qualitative research. However, it’s use isn’t limited to qualitative studies; it is a general
method that can be applied to many areas of research.
To start the grounded theory process, you should:

1. Identify the area of interest.

2. Avoid preconceived theories and focus on the data only.
3. Use theoretical sensitivity— an awareness of subtle messages and meanings in data.
Research stops when you have reached theoretical saturation: the point where you have sampled and analyzed
your data until you have exhausted all theories and uncovered all data.
Grounded theory commonly uses the following data collection methods:
 Interviewing participants with open-ended questions.
 Participant Observation (fieldwork) and/or focus groups.
 Study of Artifacts and Texts
The general theory can be broken down into two parts: methods and products.

Methods
Grounded theory provides qualitative researchers with guidelines for collecting and analyzing data. Although there
are “probably as many versions of grounded theory as there were grounded theorists” (Dey, 1999), all of the
versions have the following aspects in common (Charmaz, 2006):

1. Coding (labeling and categorizing) from collected data instead of relying on theories not grounded in data.
2. Social processes are discovered in the data.
3. Abstract categories are constructed inductively.
4. Categories are refined using theoretical sampling.
5. The gap between coding and writing is bridged with analytical memos.
6. Categories are integrated into a theoretical framework.
In order to say that your research is based in grounded theory you must follow the explicit, sequential guidelines.
Employing just one or two methods does not make the study “grounded.”

Products

Concurrent data analysis and data collection slows through a feedback loop.

Data analysis should happen at the same time as data collection. In other words, you shouldn’t wait until all your
data is collected before analyzing it; these methods should be fluid and change if your data uncovers a new theory or
potential direction. This type of concurrent data analysis and data collection is often referred to as constant
comparative analysis and theoretical sampling.
Coding should be line by line, open coding: read through data several times, creating summaries for the data using
preliminary labels. Axial coding is used to create conceptual families from the summaries, followed by selective
coding which turns the families into a formal framework with a variable that includes all of the collected data.
See this blog post for some great examples of these coding types.
References:
Charmaz, Kathy. “Grounded Theory.” The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. 2003. SAGE
Publications. 24 May. 2009.
Charmaz K. “Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through
Qualitative Analysis”. 2006. Sage Publications.
Glaser, B. & Strauss, A. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Chicago:
Aldine.