Unit 4 DQ: Qualitative Research Designs and Traditions

Grounded Theory
Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that is aimed towards developing a theory.
This method consists of flexible methodological strategies. These strategies aim to construct
middle-level theories directly from data analysis (Polit & Beck, 2018). The analysis usually
makes the provision of conceptual and focused theories that help in explaining the empirical
phenomena that have been studied. Grounded theory is essential in research since it provides
some sequential guidelines that help researchers while conducting qualitative research. This
theory also helps in streamlining and integrating data collection and analysis in research. Also,
the theory helps in making the advancement of conceptual analysis of the collected qualitative
data as well as legitimizing qualitative research as a scientific inquiry.
According to Glaser & Strauss (2017), the grounded theory process begins with collecting raw
data in the researcher’s substantive area of interest. The data is then coded and categorized in a
continuous process, hence moving towards saturation, hence resulting in a theoretical
dissatisfaction of the concepts the researcher wishes to address that a substantive theory
represents. Grounded theory help provide a methodology that is useful in the development of the
understanding of social phenomena that is not previously formed or previously developed
theoretically with already existing paradigms and theories.
Grounded theory is an explanatory method in nature is much useful in researching social process
that has previously attracted little attention to the researchers. The theory precisely addresses a
gap from previous studies that depict an area that is lacking in-depth research (Chun Tie et al.,
2019). Also, one a researcher finds new points that seem to have promising results from a
previously researched topic; a researcher can confidently utilize the grounded theory. The theory
is also better in the determination of the actual happens.
For example, the grounded theory methodology can be used to study the primary concerns of
online nurse learners. Temporal integration and finding time are the major concerns; hence the
theory help in explaining how the concerns are addressed. The theory would also help the
researcher determine the different strategies that different learners during data collection. After
analysis, the theory helps the researcher to come up with the theory about the effective learning
design for the online nurse learners.
References
Chun Tie, Y., Birks, M., & Francis, K. (2019). Grounded theory research: A design framework
for novice researchers. SAGE Open Medicine, 7,
205031211882292. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118822927
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017). The discovery of grounded theory. The Discovery of
Grounded Theory, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203793206-1
Polit, D. F, & Beck, C. T. (2018). Essentials of Nursing Research Appraising Evidence
for  Nursing Practice (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health.