Grounded theory is a systematic qualitative research methodology used primarily by social scientists to generate theories that are "grounded" in empirical data rather than starting with a preconceived hypothesis. It involves collecting and analyzing data iteratively, allowing concepts and theories to emerge directly from the data through inductive reasoning
. Key aspects of grounded theory include:
- Inductive Approach: Unlike traditional research that begins with a hypothesis, grounded theory starts with data collection without predetermined assumptions. Theories are developed by coding and categorizing data as it is collected and analyzed
- Coding Process: Data is broken down into smaller units and labeled with codes that summarize ideas or concepts. These codes are then grouped into higher-level categories, which form the basis for generating hypotheses and ultimately a new theory. The coding typically follows stages such as open coding, axial coding, and selective coding
- Iterative Data Collection and Analysis: Data collection and analysis occur simultaneously and repeatedly until "theoretical saturation" is reached-when additional data no longer provides new insights to refine the theory
- Focus on Social Processes: Grounded theory aims to understand what is happening in the participants' lives and how they address their main concerns, emphasizing the meaning and significance of social phenomena rather than seeking absolute "truth"
- Historical Context: Developed by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in the 1960s, grounded theory was a response to the dominance of quantitative methods and positivism, legitimizing qualitative research as a rigorous scientific approach
In summary, grounded theory is a rigorous qualitative method that builds new theories inductively from systematically gathered and analyzed data, emphasizing the emergence of concepts grounded in real-world observations rather than testing pre-existing hypotheses
