grounded theory

GROUNDED THEORY

DR.MAHESWARI JAIKUMAR

• Is an inductive technique developed for health related topics by GLOSER & STRAUSS (1967).• GROUNDED THEORY means that

the theory developed from the research is “grounded” or has it’s roots in the data from which it was derived.

CHARACTERISTICS• The main focus is on developing

social experiences that characterize a particular event or a phenomenon.• The theory suggests that there

should be a continuous interplay between data collection & data analysis

• The grounded theory allows the researcher to develop a theoretical account of the general features of a topic• ……….. while simultaneously

grounding the account in the empirical observation or data.

• Grounded theory begins with a research situation.•Within that situation the task

of a researcher is to understand what is happening there. (core variable) & how players manage their role.

• After each hour of data collection, the investigator notes down the key issues. This is known as NOTE TAKING.• Constant comparison is made.• From this comparison theory

emerges.

• Researchers compare the initial data to the theory & the results of comparison are written in the margin of the notes, taken as codes.• The researcher’s identify categories

& their properties from these codes.• There may be links between

categories or a core category may emerge.

• The researcher writes further notes about this theory, which is called MEMOING.• The researcher groups memo

line by line & sequences them in an order that will make the theory clearer.

PHASES OF GROUND STUDY

1 2 3 4 5 6

DATA COLLECTION

NOTE TAKING

CODING

MEMOING

SORTING

WRITING

METHODOLOGY• The steps of grounded theory

occurs simultaneously.• Constant comparison is an

important methodological technique.

SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

• The researcher uses his/her – all senses.• A lot of information can be learned by

simple observation.• Sources of data collection varies with

the focus of enquiry, purpose of investigation & guidelines of research approach being used.

ISSUES OF DATA COLLECTIONISSUES GROUNDED THEORYMETHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

Primarily individual interviews, sometimes group interviews, observation, participant journals, documents, self reports.

UNITS OF DATA COLLECTION

Individual subjects

SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

Audio/video tape recording

Diaries

Case studies

Art workParticipant observation

Formal & informal interviews

Documents

ISSUES GROUNDED THEORY

DATA COLLECTION POINTS

Cross sectional or longitudinal.

LENGTH OF TIME FOR DATA COLLECTION

Typically moderate.

ISSUES GROUNDED THEORYDATA RECORDING Interview notes /

audio taping / memoing / observation notes

SALIENT FEATURES Building rapport, encouraging candor, listening while preparing what to ask next, keeping ‘ on track’ & handling emotions.

DATA ANALYSIS• Usually the sample size is 25 -50 &

data are collected by in depth interviews, data collection notes, typed interview transcripts or video taped / audio taped conversations that contain multiple pieces of data to be stored & analyzed.

• The process is initiated by coding & categorizing the data.• There are several types of

coding : OPEN, AXIAL & SELECTIVE CODING.

AS I WAS WITH MOSES, I WILL BE WITH YOU.I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU

NOR FORSAKE YOUJOSHUA 1:5

OPEN CODING• Open coding is concerned with

identifying, naming, categorizing & describing phenomenon found in the text.• Each line or a paragraph is read in

search of the answer to the repeated questions.

AXIAL CODING• Is a process of relating

(categories & properties) to each other via inductive & deductive thinking.• The ground theorist emphasize

causal relationship & fit things into a basic frame of generic relationship

SELECTION CODING• Is the process of choosing one

category to be the core category & relating all other categories to that category.• The essential idea is to find the

driver that implies the story forward.

TYPES OF GROUND THEORY

1. SUBSTANTIVE THEORY.2.FORMAL THEORY.

SUBSTANTIVE THEORY 1.Is grounded in data on a specific

substantive area. (such as post partum depression).

2.Substantive theory serves as a spring board foe developing a higher abstract level of theory.(custom tailored clothing)

FORMAL THEORY• Is opposite of substantive theory.

(Ready to wear clothing)

EXAMPLE

• A grounded theory to look into how parents coped with difficult times when caring for a chronically ill child

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