What Is Grounded Theory In Qualitative Research?

The term “grounded theory” has become increasingly popular in the field of qualitative research. But what does it mean? In this article, we’ll explain what grounded theory is, how it’s used in qualitative research, and why it’s important.

What Is Grounded Theory?

Grounded theory is an approach to qualitative analysis that seeks to develop theory through data collection and analysis. It is based on the idea that theory should emerge from data, rather than being imposed on it. Grounded theory is an iterative process that involves collecting data, coding it, and developing a theory.

What Is Qualitative Research?

Qualitative research is a type of research that seeks to understand a phenomenon from the perspectives of those who experience it. Qualitative research methods include interviews, focus groups, observation, and textual analysis. Qualitative research is used in a variety of fields, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, and education.

How Is Grounded Theory Used In Qualitative Research?

Grounded theory is often used in qualitative research to develop an understanding of a phenomenon. In this approach, data is collected from interviews, focus groups, and other sources. The researcher then uses a coding system to categorize the data and look for patterns. As the researcher codes the data, they develop a theory to explain the phenomenon and its underlying causes.

Benefits Of Grounded Theory In Qualitative Research

Using grounded theory in qualitative research has several advantages. First, it allows researchers to develop an understanding of a phenomenon that is based on the perspectives of those who experience it. Second, it provides an iterative process that allows researchers to refine their theories as they collect more data. Finally, it can be used to generate new theories or extend existing ones.

Conclusion

Grounded theory is an approach to qualitative research that seeks to develop theory through data collection and analysis. It is based on the idea that theory should emerge from data, rather than being imposed on it. Grounded theory is often used in qualitative research to develop an understanding of a phenomenon from the perspectives of those who experience it. It has several advantages, including allowing researchers to develop an understanding of a phenomenon based on the perspectives of those who experience it, providing an iterative process for refining theories, and allowing researchers to generate new theories or extend existing ones.

References:

• Charmaz, K. (2016). Grounded Theory. In The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Analysis (pp. 541-558). SAGE Publications.
• Lambert, T., & Lambert, K. (2014). Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide for Management, Business and Market Researchers. Journal of Management & Organization, 20(4), 488-504. doi:10.1177/1468794114543508
• Frazer, S. (2016). Grounded Theory in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 6(3), 1-3.