lecture 3

Question 1

Grounded theory

Answer 1

analysing qualitative data

• offers flexible set of inductive guidelines of collecting + analysing qualitative data
• creates codes by defining what you see in the data - not according preconcieved ideas - grounded in the data
• forming theory based on data not before collecting data
• aim is to generate theory appropriate to data and justified by close examination of data

Question 2

key characteristics

Answer 2

systematics - process by which theory is generated through careful application of the general principles + methods of grounded theory
guidelines - guide data collection, analysis and theory generation
inductive not deductive
- focus on generating theories rather than confirming them

Question 3

origins

Answer 3

Glaser + Strauss, 1967

• closing gap between theory and empirical research
• provide sound basis for thorough qual. research
• split in 1970s + developed divergent schools of thought
• lead to confusion around what GT producers and term are in lit.

Question 4

Glaser

Answer 4

• completely empty mind
• less structural coding
• researcher passive
• anything can be used as data

Question 5

Strauss

Answer 5

• general idea where to start
• more structured coding process
• researcher active
• only traditionally qualitative data

Question 6

when to use

Answer 6

• generate theory
• understand social processes, experiences of phenomena
• little to no existing research on area
• any type of qualitative data e.g. media content, focus group, bio data

Question 7

key features

Answer 7

theoretical sensitivity 
constant comparison 
theoretical sampling 
data saturation 
memo-writing 
stages of coding

Question 8

theoretical sensitivity

Answer 8

• process of selecting incidents, time periods or people on the basis of their potential to manifestation or representation of imp.

Question 9

constant comparison

Answer 9

code to code, case to case, situation, concept

finding questions to ask for comparison purposes

Question 10

data saturation

Answer 10

researchers reach a point in analysis that theoretical sampling of more data will not lead to more data related to RQ
- see same codes, categories and themes in data

Question 11

memo-writing

Answer 11

reflective memos during data collection 
guide theoretical sampling 
coding and theory generation 
start as soon as have interesting ideas 
objective is to improve theoretical sensitivity 
- evolve as analysis progresses 
conceptual not descriptive