Overview

The one thing that might confuse you is that grounded theory contains the word “theory,” but it is a methodology. The term theory is just another way to say "explanation". It was developed in sociology in 1967 by Glaser and Strauss who felt that the theories used in the research were ill-suited for participants they were studying. Instead of the a priori orientations in sociology, grounded theorists believe that theories should be “grounded” in data from the field, especially in the actions, interactions, and social processes of people (Creswell, 2014).

Researchers who use grounded theory usually develop a theory grounded in a deep, systematic, structured form of data analysis. However, there are strong differences of opinion in how one should approach this development of theory and the role the researcher plays in relationship with data (Glazer & Strauss, 1967 & Strauss & Corbin, 1994). Grounded theory is inductive, making it somewhat interpretivism, but its intent to generate testable theory lends to post-positivism. Interviews, but also observations, memos, etc. can be part of this methodology.

It is not a surprise that many grounded theorists have chosen their own philosophical paradigms. Glaser B. & Strauss, A. L. (1967) began by examining dying patients and found themselves going through a process they called a grounded theory. Glaser eventually broke away and became more positivistic. Corbin and Strauss, (2008) moved away from Glazer toward the interpretivist/constructivist paradigm, But Charmaz created an intensely interpretivist /constructivist grounded theory. While Clarke’s (2005) work is very postmodern. Critical rationalism (Oliver, 2011) has emerged as a guiding philosophical light for grounded theory from older philosophical assumptions that Bhatacherjee (2012) discusses in his history of science and thought in the Week 1 reading.

Module Objectives

In this module, our activities, content, and assignments will help you do the following:

Understand characteristics of grounded theory
Apply the defining features to your topic

Module To-Do List

Here's everything you need to do and remember for this module:

Watch the required PowerPoint
Read all the required readings
Complete the discussion board
Optional: Write in your research journal