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Carrying out a GT study 2 Axial coding: at this stage relationships are identi-
First the area of interest is identified. Theoretical precon- fied between the categories, and connections
ceptions should be avoided, although it is accepted this identified.
is difficult in practice. Analytical procedures and sam- 3 Selective coding: this involves identifying the core
pling strategies are then used and the study is finished category and methodically relating it to other cat-
when theoretical sampling reached5 all discussed below. egories. The relationships must be authenticated and
Data collected may be qualitative or quantitative or a categories refined. Categories are then integrated
combination of both. Data collection methods often together and a GT identified.
include in-depth interviews using open-ended questions.
Questions can be adjusted as theory emerges. Analytical notes are encouraged. These are notes to
Observational methods and focus groups may also be oneself to explain thought patterns in relation to the
used. data analysis. Final theory is usually generated from the
integration of several analytical memos.
Theoretical sampling
Glaser and Strauss (1967) first mentioned theoretical The core category
sampling and described a process of generating theory The core category is the chief phenomena around which
from data which includes collecting the data, then the categories are built. Theory is generated around a
coding and analysing the data.1 Next the researcher core category. The core category should account for the
makes a conscious decision about what further detail variation found in the data, that is, the categories will
they feel needs exploring as the new theory develops. It relate to it in some way. The categories demonstrate how
usually takes place after some initial key concepts or the core category is situated in the lives of those partici-
categories have been identified, for example, you might pating in the study.
decide to interview patients about their experience of
heart failure. They may talk about systematic errors Example of a GT case study
occurring in the general practice surgery. From this ana- As illustrated, GT methodologies involve the construc-
lysis of the data you may decide to approach and inter- tion of new theory through the analysis of data. In a
view GPs to explore their views on patients’ comments. study carried out by Beech et al,9 the authors sought to
Theoretical sampling therefore, is used to produce more explore patient participant experiences of recovery fol-
data to endorse or refute the categories that have been lowing surgical intervention for colorectal cancer. Beech
identified in the previous analysis.6 et al9 opted to use GT because previous studies had
These include:
References This article cites 1 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at:
http://ebn.bmj.com/content/early/2016/02/12/eb-2016-102306#BIBL
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Notes