Grounded Theory is an inductive social science research method that creates and revises a theory from collected written data, without testing a hypothesis. It is qualitative and relies on subjective observations, and uses coding and categorization to develop a theory based on recurring concepts. The researcher should enter with a neutral mindset and collect written texts, interview notes, or written observations. The method is adaptable and ever-evolving, remaining grounded in data analysis.
Grounded Theory is a social science research method known for its modifiability and inductive approach. In other words, grounded theory is an adaptable technique that is based on collected written data. This approach to theory development is also known for its use of concepts and categories and its emphasis on comparison.
A key tenet of grounded theory is its approach. The method does not try to test a researcher’s hypothesis about how or why something occurs. Rather, grounded theory aims to actually create and revise a theory from the data under investigation. This presents an inductive rather than deductive approach, because it constructs an idea from separate parts or data.
Many people also view grounded theory as qualitative research. It does not rely on traditional deductive research methods, where a theory is tested rather than created. Drawing comparisons of concepts through numerical information and mathematical formulas – the hallmark of another form of theory making, quantitative research – is also mostly absent from this approach. Furthermore, the general subject of much well-founded theoretical research is in the social sciences, such as human behavior. This discipline inherently relies on subjective rather than objective observations to a large extent.
It is imperative to prepare adequately for a foundation theory approach. The researcher should ideally enter the research with a neutral mindset and no preconceptions about the topic. To achieve this, some experts recommend that the analyzer not conduct any basic research before starting its current experimental approach. Also, discussing the analysis before it’s completed is frowned upon.
The source materials of grounded theory research typically consist of three different types of data: written texts, interview notes, or written observations about specific interactions. Written data may include books, magazines or newspapers. The other types are based on information compiled and collected directly by the analyzer.
Once a researcher has collected the written materials, the next step involves studying the materials and determining what they are about. The researcher notes several concepts that recur in the materials. This process is known as coding, and written versions of these observations are called memos. For example, an analyzer might look at a magazine article and detail how often certain words or images appear in the text.
The researcher then looks for common themes or patterns within the memos and classifies the written observations into concepts and categories. For example, if dark colors or images are used frequently in a text, the analyzer may create a category of sadness or anger. The frequent mentions of open spaces combined with many references to flying could lead to a categorization of freedom. These categories can be general or specific ideas.
Once the categories are determined, the researcher makes comparisons between the different categories and begins to develop a theory. Texts or observations can reveal some key traits of an individual or even a culture, and these traits are often the subject of well-founded theories. However, this structure is fluid and subject to change as the analyzer collects more materials. Theory, while ever evolving, remains grounded in data analysis and nothing else, hence the name grounded theory.
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