What is Grounded Theory Design in Qualitative Research?
Grounded theory design is a method of qualitative research that is used to develop a theory that is grounded in data collected from participants. This type of research is used to understand the causes and consequences of social phenomena, such as the dynamics of an organization or the impact of a policy change. The goal of grounded theory design is to create an inductive theory that is based on the information gathered from participants. This type of research is used to construct a theory that is grounded in the data and is not predetermined by the researcher.
How Does Grounded Theory Design Work?
In grounded theory design, the researcher collects data from participants using qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations. The data collected is then coded and analyzed to identify patterns and themes. The researcher uses these patterns and themes to develop a theory that is grounded in the data. The theory is then tested and refined through additional data collection and analysis.
Benefits of Grounded Theory Design
Grounded theory design has several advantages over other methods of qualitative research. It is an efficient method of data collection and analysis because the researcher is able to identify patterns and themes in the data quickly. The theory developed is also based on the data collected and is not predetermined by the researcher which makes it more reliable and valid. Finally, grounded theory design allows researchers to develop a theory that is applicable to the population of interest and is not limited to the data collected.
Examples of Grounded Theory Design
Grounded theory design has been used in a variety of contexts to develop theories about the dynamics of organizations, the impact of policy changes, and the nature of social phenomena. For example, a researcher may use grounded theory design to understand the impact of a policy change on an organization by collecting data from participants, analyzing the data, and developing a theory about how the policy change has affected the organization. Another example is a researcher using grounded theory design to understand how a particular social phenomenon, such as a cultural trend, has developed over time.
Conclusion
Grounded theory design is an effective method of qualitative research that is used to develop a theory that is grounded in the data collected. It is an efficient and reliable method of data collection and analysis and allows researchers to develop a theory that is applicable to the population of interest. Grounded theory design has been used in a variety of contexts to develop theories about the dynamics of organizations, the impact of policy changes, and the nature of social phenomena.
References
1. Charmaz, K (2014). Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
2. Holloway, I. & Wheeler, S. Qualitative Research in Nursing and Healthcare (2016). John Wiley & Sons.
3. Mastrian, G. & Foster, S. (2015). Grounded Theory Design: An Approach for Nursing Research. Nursing Research and Practice, 2015.
