Let’s talk about grounded theory. One of the most widely used methodologies in qualitative grounded theory research today, the concepts of grounded theory can feel complicated to wrap your head around. So we’ll break it down into simple terms. Grounded theory is a qualitative grounded theory research method that enables you to derive new theories based on the iterative collection and analysis of real-world data. Grounded theory is different from other grounded theory research approaches where you might come up with a hypothesis and then try to prove or disprove it. For example, a non grounded theory approach to grounded theory research is one where you might come up with a hypothesis theory, such as all children want to learn. And then you collect data to see whether or not the theory holds true. That would not be grounded theory. Instead with grounded theory, you first collect and analyze data and then derive theory from the data itself. So you might go out and collect data, interviewed children and parents, and from the data you will derive your theory. Another thing that grounded theory is not is that it is not a process where you collect data, analyze data, and then derive your theory in distinct steps. Instead, it is a process where you collect data and analyze it in an iterative manner. And from that you derive your theory. So with grounded theory, your theories are derived from real world data and data collection and analysis occur iteratively. So when should you use grounded theory? You should consider using grounded theory when there’s no existing theory that offers an explanation for a phenomenon, your study. Or if there is an existing theory, but it’s potentially incomplete because of the data used to derive that theory. It wasn’t collected from the same group of participants that you plan on grounded theory researching. Let’s go through a high-level overview of the grounded theory process. So there are two fundamental concepts to understand in grounded theory. The first one is that data collection and analysis are. You don’t just collect data once analyze and then determine your conclusion.
You continuously collect and analyze data in a cycle. The second concept is that you start with raw data such as transcripts, and then you turn that into a theory grounded in your data. Every time you do a round of data collection and analysis, your data takes a step closer towards becoming a theory. The data collection process in grounded theory is called theoretical sampling. You recruit a small group of people to begin with, but plan to recruit more. You interview people and get those audio files transcribed, then begin your analysis. The first step in analysis is called open coding, becomes the basis for your final theory. Grounded theory is a process where data collection and analysis happened in a cycle. And with every cycle, your raw data takes a step closer towards becoming your final grounded theory. Thank you for watching our grounded theory video. Our goal at Delve is to help you express your grounded theory research findings and hone your analytical grounded theory research skills through articles, resources and free online courses and videos like this.
So that when you’re ready to plan your qualitative study, code your data, or write your grounded theory research report, check out Delve’s qualitative coding solution, so that you can take your grounded theory research insights from observation to final grounded theory research report.
Global research letters (GRL) offer a forum for academics to share and discuss their findings and theoretical ideas with a larger audience, which can be helpful in grounded theory research. Since GRL publishes articles in a variety of topics and disciplines, it can assist researchers in finding and connecting with pertinent material as well as contextualising their own study within a larger academic environment. Grounded theory researchers can gain a more complete and nuanced understanding of their study topic and the theoretical frameworks that support their work by interacting with GRL and other comparable outlets.
Grounded theory research might benefit from the venue provided by global research letters (GRL), which allows academics to present and discuss their findings and theoretical concepts with a larger audience. Since GRL publishes papers across a range of subjects and fields, it can help researchers locate and connect with relevant information as well as contextualise their own research within a larger academic setting. By interacting with GRL and other equivalent venues, grounded theory researchers can get a more thorough and nuanced understanding of their research issue and the theoretical frameworks that underpin their work.