Grounded theory

Grounded theory is a general methodology, a way of thinking about conceptualizing data. This method was developed by two sociologists Barney G Glasser and Anselm L Strauss their collaboration in research on dying hospital patients led them to write Awareness of Dying in 1965. In this research they developed the constant comparison method later known as the Grounded Theory Method.  The discovery of grounded theory (1967) this book which has the major ideas of grounded theory.

GROUNDED THEORY

Glaser (1996) suggested “Grounded theory is the systematic generation of theory from data , it is an inductive process in which everything is integrated and interrelated with other actions world in which participant inhibit is multivariate, multivalent and connected.”

Grounded theory is a systematic theory of using systematized method of theoretical sampling , coding constant comparison, the identification of core variable and saturation.

Strauss and Corbin (1994:273) remark grounded theory is a general methodology for developing theory that is grounded in data systematically gathered and analysed)

FEATURES

• Theory is emergent rather than predefined and tests
• Theory emerges from data rather than vice versa
• Theory generation is a consequence of and partner to, systematic data collection and analysis.
• Pattern and theories are implicit in data, waiting to be discovered
• No need for strong pre-reading  or review of literature
• One does know what one will find and cannot be sure that what one should read before undertaking ground theory.
• It should read both within and outside the field rather narrowly or focused direction

METHODS

• THEORETICAL SAMPLING: In theoretical sampling, data are collected on an ongoing, iterative basis and the researcher keeps on adding to the sample until there is enough data to describe what is going on in the content or situation under study and until the theoretical saturation is reached.

One cannot determine when this saturation point reached, sample size or representation.

• CODING: The process of disassembling and reassembling the data to produce a new understanding that explores similarities, differences across a number of different cases.

Grounded theory has three types of coding. The intention of which is deconstruct the data into manageable chunks in order to facilitate an understanding of the phenomenon in questions.

• Open coding involves exploring the data and identifying units of analysis to code for meanings, feelings, actions, events and category and subcategories where necessary and integrating codes where relevant until coding complete.
• Axial coding seeks to make link between categories and codes to integrate codes around the axes of central categories. The essence of axial coding is interconnectedness of categories (Creswell  1998.57) hence codes are explored their interrelationships are examined and codes and categories are compared to existing theory.
• Selective coding involves identifying a core code and relationship between this core code and other code is made clear (Ezzy 2002) and coding scheme is compared with pre-existing theory.
  
  

Coding proceeds to develops concepts i.e the steps involves are

• Coding
• Concepts
• Categories
• Theory

• CONSTANT COMPARISON: Here researcher compares new data with existing data and categories so that the categories achieve a perfect fit with the data. If poorly fit then the categories and theory modified. In constant comparison, discrepant, negative and discomforting cases are important in rendering the categories and emergent theory to fit all the data.

Constant comparison is a process ‘by which the properties and categories across the data are compared continuously until no more variation occurs’ (Glasser 1996) i.e saturation is reached.

Here data are compared across a range of situation, time, groups of people through a range of methods. The process resonates with the methodology notion of triangulation.

Glasser and Strauss 1967 suggest this method involves four stages

1. Comparing incidents and data that are applicable to each category
2. Integrating categories and their properties
3. Bounding the theories
4. Setting out the theory

• CORE VARIABLE AND SATURATION: Through constant comparison a core variable is identified; that variable which accounts most of the data, related and around which most data are focused.

Saturation is reached when no new insights, codes or categories are produced even when new data are added. All the data are accounted for in the core categories and subcategories. (Glasser and Strauss 1967)

• DEVELOPING GROUNDED THEORY: Grounded theory emerges from the data in an unforced manner, accounting for all of the data.

Derived theory is evaluated by four criteria suggested (Glasser and Strauss 1967)

1. Closeness of the fit between theory and data
2. Understandable the theory by lay person
3. Ability of the theory to be general to a multitude of diverse situation
4. Allows partial control over the structure and process of daily situation.

Steps in grounded theory :  (Creswel  1998)

1. Deciding the codes
2. Constructing categories
3. Conduct and categories of data
4. Data analysis
5. Summarizing
6. Inferencing 
7. Developing grounded theory

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUNDED THEORY RESEARCH

1. Process approach
2. Theoretical sampling
3. Constant comparative data analysis
4. A core category
5. Theory generation
6. memos

REFERENCE

Louis    Cohen,  Lawrence  Manion  &  Keith  Morrison  (2007)  “Research     Methods  in                                                                                                     Education”  Rout ledge  Ed  6^th  .

John  w  Creswell  (2011)  “Planning,  Conducting,  and  Evaluating  Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Research”  PHI  Learning Private Lmt  New Delhi Ed  4^th .