Chapter 3 (Grounded theory)

Question 1

Definition of grounded theory research

Answer 1

A research approach for developing theory from data.

Question 2

When to use the grounded theory design?

Answer 2

1. When existing theories do not address your problem or the participants that you plan to study
2. when you wish to study a process, explain actions of people, or an interaction among people.

Answer 3

1. Data-Driven: It starts with collecting and analyzing data without a preconceived theory or hypothesis. The theory emerges from the data itself.
2. Inductive: It is an inductive approach, meaning that researchers move from specific observations to the development of general concepts and theories.
3. Iterative: Data analysis involves continually comparing new data with previously collected data to refine and develop emerging concepts and theories.
4. Theory Building: The ultimate goal is to create a theory that explains the observed phenomena.

Question 4

Types of grounded theory research

Answer 4

1. systematic design
2. emerging design
3. constructivist approach

Question 5

Explain systematic design

Answer 5

1. Uses predetermined categories to interrelate the categories, visual diagrams, and specific propositions or hypotheses to make the connections explicit.
2. Systematically develops a theory that explains process, action, or interaction on a topic.
3. Participants interviewed are theoretically chosen – theoretical sampling – to help the researcher best form the theory
4. Data collection and data analysis is a zig zag process - until information becomes saturated.

Question 6

Explain emerging design

Answer 6

1. Relies on exploring a basic social process without preset categories.
2. This explanation involved the constant comparative coding procedures of comparing incident to incident, incident to category, and category to category.
3. The focus was on connecting categories and emerging theory, not on simply describing categories.
4. In the end, the researcher builds a theory and discusses the relationship among categories without reference to a diagram or picture.

Question 7

Explain constructivist theory

Answer 7

1. Emphasizes theory development resulting from a co-construction process dependent upon researcher interactions with participants and the field.
2. Places more emphasis on the views, values, beliefs, feelings, assumptions, and ideologies of individuals than on the methods of research.
3. The researcher makes decisions about the categories throughout the process, brings questions to the data, and advances personal values, experiences, and priorities.

Question 8

Steps in conducting grounded theory

Answer 8

1. Determine if grounded theory is best suited to study the research problem
2. Identify a process to study
3. Seek approval and access
4. Conduct Theoretical Sampling
5. Code the data
6. Use selective coding and develop the theory
7. Validate your theory
8. Write a grounded theory research report