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Grounded Theory - Answer For Exam

Grounded theory

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112 views4 pages

Grounded Theory - Answer For Exam

Grounded theory

Uploaded by

Geeta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Grounded Theory

GT was advocated by Glaser & Strauss.


GT theory can be considered as an approach to “generate theory” Glaser & Strauss argued
that more local theories would emerge if they were “grounded in data”. Theories that have
emerged from such data analysis have been called “middle – level” theories”
Data & Data collection are of prime importance in GT.

Grounded theory has considerable significance because: POSAL


a. provides explicit, sequential guidelines for conducting qualitative research
b. offers specific strategies for handling the analytic phases of data
c. streamlines and integrates data collection and analysis
d. advances conceptual analysis of qualitative data
e. legitimizes qualitative research as scientific inquiry.

Grounded theory methods have earned their place as a standard social research method and
have influenced researchers from varied disciplines and professions.

Grounded theory should be used when


1. There is no existing theory that offers an explanation for a phenomenon that you are
studying.
2. It can also be used if there is an existing theory, but it is potentially incomplete as the
data used to derive that theory wasn’t collected from the group of participants that
you plan on researching.

The basic goals of the grounded theory are:


1. it assures to provide a ‘good theory’ as the output.
2. The grounded theory approach emphasises on the process by which the theory is
evaluated. This determines the quality of the theory
3. enhancing the theoretical sensitivity.
4. aims to generate those concepts which explain people’s actions regardless of time
and place

Certain features define grounded theory


1. Theory development and data collection go hand in hand.
2. Rather than gather data to support or challenge a hypothesis in this approach
theory is said to ‘emerge’ from the gathered data through analysis
3. previous theory is kept from influencing theory development &
4. bottom-up perspective is used for analysis
Steps in GT

Steps for grounded theory:

1. Determine initial research questions

2. Recruit and collect data (theoretical sampling): Data collection in the grounded
theory method can include both quantitative and qualitative methods. The data is
collected from various sources recruiting various techniques & methods of data
collection. Not restricted a few methods.

3. Break transcripts into excerpts (open coding) : It is the process of identifying,


labelling & analysing the phenomena found in the text. The theorist puts the
phenomenon into general categories.

4. Group excerpts into codes (open coding): This step involves sorting in addition to
open coding. Excerpts are sorted in order to organize them. Sorting helps in putting
all the data in a proper order which helps to link the data & helps in formation of
ideas.

5. Group codes into categories (axial coding): It is the process of relating the
categories or properties to each other with the help of deductive & inductive
reasoning.

6. Analyze more excerpts and compare with codes


In this step the GT try to analyse the causal relationship between the variables for
example they try to understand which Code would be the cause of another code.

7. Repeat steps 2-6 until you reach theoretical saturation

8. Define the central idea (selective coding): In this type of coding out of all the
available categories, the ground theorist selects one category to be the center or the
major one and then tries to relate the other categories with the selected major
category.

9. Write your grounded theory: The ground theorist arranges, relates and puts the
collected information in to words. Therefore, in this step the researcher tries to give a
shape as well as meaning to the relevant data. This may be said to be a crucial stage,
as it is this stage in which the researcher interprets the information on the basis of his
own perspectives. The collected information is also linked with the existing relevant
literature in order to put the theory in a scholarly context

Grounded theory is not a linear process where you collect data, analyze it, and then you are
done. It is an iterative research methodology that involves cycling through the steps
iteratively.
Benefits of using grounded theory:

Reality
Buffer con bias
Data
Streamlines
Strategies
New discoveries

Findings accurately represent real world settings:


The theories you develop using grounded theory are derived directly from real world
participants in real world settings using methods like in depth interviews and observation, so
your findings will more accurately represent the real world. This is in contrast to other
research approaches that occur in less natural settings like research labs or focus group
tables.

Findings are tightly connected to the data:


Because grounded theory primarily relies on collected data to determine the final outcome,
the findings are tightly connected to that data. This is in contrast to other research
approaches that rely more heavily on external research frameworks or theories that are
further removed from the data.

Great for new discoveries:


Grounded theory is a strong, inductive research method for discovering new theories. You
don"t go in with any preconceived hypothesis about the outcome, and are not concerned
with validation or description. Instead, you allow the data you collect to guide your analysis
and theory creation, leading to novel discoveries.

Offers strategies for analysis:


The process of grounded theory describes specific strategies for analysis that can be
incredibly helpful. While grounded theory is a very open ended methodology, the analysis
strategies enable you to stay structured and analytical in your discovery process.

Data collection and analysis are streamlined:


Data collection and analysis are tightly interwoven. As you collect data, you analyze it, and
as you learn from analysis, you continue to collect more data. This helps ensure that the data
you collect is sufficient enough to explain the findings that arise from analysis.

Buffers against confirmation bias:


Because data collection and analysis are tightly interwoven, you are truly following what is
emerging from the data itself. This provides a great buffer against confirming preconceived
beliefs about your topic.
4.3.2 Limitations of grounded theory:
Difficulty recruiting:
Grounded theory relies on an iterative recruiting process called theoretical sampling where
you continuously recruit and conduct new rounds of interviews with new participants and
previous participants while you analyze data. The recruiting criteria also evolves and
changes based on what you learn. Because the recruiting is not predefined, it can be
challenging to continuously find the right participants for your study.

Time consuming to collect data:


There is no way to know ahead of time how much data you will need to collect, so you
need to be flexible with your time. With grounded theory, you continuously collect and
analyze data until you reach theoretical saturation, which is the point at which new data does
not contribute new insight to your evolving theory. This means that you are likely to
conduct many rounds of data collection before your theory is complete.

Challenges in analysis:
Data analysis occurs on a rolling basis and involves making constant comparisons between
different excerpts of data. It can be challenging to keep track of your comparisons and
findings as you go. It can be helpful to use a qualitative data analysis software like Delve to
help you stay organized during your analysis.

Here are some grounded theory examples:


1. Grounded Theory is used by marketing departments by letting marketing
executives express their views on how to improve their product or service in a
structured way

2. Grounded Theory is often used by the HR department. for instance, they might
study why employees are frustrated by their work. Employees can explain what
they feel is lacking. HR then gathers this data, examines the results to discover the
root cause of their problems and presents solutions

3. Grounded Theory can help with design decisions, such as how to create a more
appealing logo. To do this, the marketing department might interview consumers
about their thoughts on their logo and what they like or dislike about it. they will
then gather coded data that relates back to the interviews and use this for a second
iteration

4. Grounded theory is often used in formulation of policies and program evaluation


research, since it can more effectively help in solving the unanswered questions

5. Grounded theory approach can also be used to analyse the consumers’


demands and preferences in the existing market.

6. The approach can also be used to analyse product positioning and advertising
opportunities.

7. It is one of the best theoretical approaches that can be used in the field of education,
management, women’s studies, information studies, politics and communities etc.

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