Grounded Theory as a General Research Methodology
Main Article Content
Abstract
Since its inception over forty years ago, grounded theory has achieved canonical status in the research world (Locke, 2001, p.1). Qualitative researchers, in particular, have embraced grounded theory although often without sufficient scholarship in the methodology (Partington, 2000, p.93; 2002, p.136). The embrace renders many researchers unable to perceive grounded theory as a general methodology and an alternative to the dominant qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The result is methodological confusion and an often unconscious remodelling of the original methodology (Glaser, 2003). Given the various interpretations and approaches that have been popularised under the rubric of grounded theory, this paper addresses the important distinction between grounded theory as a general methodology and its popularisation as a qualitative research method. The paper begins with a brief overview of grounded theory’s origins and its philosophical foundations then continues by addressing the basic distinction between abstract conceptualisation as employed in classic grounded theory and the conceptual description approach as adopted by many qualitative researchers. The paper continues with a brief overview of the criteria for judging the quality of classic grounded theory and concludes by detailing its methodological principles.
Downloads
Article Details
The Grounded Theory Review is an open-access journal, which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the international Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) definition of open access.
References
Amis, J.M. & Silk, M.L. (2007). The philosophy and politics of quality in qualitative
organizational research. Organizational Research Methods, 11, 3, 456-480.
Bryant, A. (2003). A constructive/ist response to Glaser [On-line Journal]. Forum: Qualitative
sozialforschung/ Forum: Qualitative social research, 4,1. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from the World
Wide Web: www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/1-03/1-03bryant-e.htm
Charmaz, K. (1994). ‘Discovering’ chronic illness: Using grounded theory. In B. G. Glaser (Ed.),
More grounded theory methodology: A reader (pp. 65-94). Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Charmaz, K. (2000). Grounded theory: objectivist and constructivist methods. In N. K. Denzin &
Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nd. ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage
Publications, Inc.
Chia, R. (2002). The production of management knowledge: Philosophical underpinnings of
research design. In D. Partington (Ed.), Essential skills for management research (pp. 1-19).
London: Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches
(2nd. ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (1994). Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
Douglas, D. (2003). Inductive theory generation: A grounded approach to business inquiry [On-
line Journal, 1(4)]. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods. Retrieved June 9, 2008,
from the World Wide Web: http://www.ejbrm.com/vol2/v2-i1/issue1-art4-abstract.htm
Glaser, B. G. (1978). Theoretical sensitivity: advances in the methodology of grounded theory. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G. (1992). Basics of grounded theory: emergence vs. forcing. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G. (1998). Doing grounded theory: Issues and discussions. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G. (2001). The grounded theory perspective: conceptualization contrasted with description. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G. (2002). Constructivist grounded theory? [On-line Journal]. Forum: Qualitative sozialforschung/ Forum: Qualitative social research, 3,3. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from the World Wide Web: http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02glaser-e.htm
Glaser, B. G. (2003). The grounded theory perspective II: Description’s remodeling of grounded theory methodology. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G. (2004). Naturalist inquiry and grounded theory [On-line journal]. Forum: Qualitative Sozialforschung/ Forum: Qualitative Social Research 5,1. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from the World Wide Web: http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/1-04/1-04glaser-e.htm
Glaser, B. G., & Holton, J. (2004). Remodeling grounded theory. Forum: Qualitative sozialforschung/ Forum: qualitative social research, 5,2.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1965). Awareness of dying. Chicago: Aldine Publishing Company.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1970). Anguish: A case history of a dying patient. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1971). Status passage. Chicago: Aldine Atherton Inc.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1974). Time for dying. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1975). Chronic illness and the quality of life. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Hall, W. A., & Callery, P. (2001). Enhancing the rigor of grounded theory: Incorporating reflexivity and relationality. Qualitative Health Research, 11,2, 257-272.
Johnson, P., & Harris, D. (2002). Qualitative and quantitative issues in research design. In D. Partington (Ed.), Essential skills for management research (pp. 99-135). London: Sage Publications.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Locke, K. (2001). Grounded theory in management research. London: Sage Publications.
Lomborg, K., & Kirkevold, M. (2003). Truth and validity in grounded theory – a reconsidered realist interpretation of the criteria: fit, work, relevance and modifiability. Nursing Philosophy, 4, 189-200.
Lowenberg, J.S. (1993) Interpretive research methodology: broadening the dialogue. Advances in Nursing Science, 16, 57-69.
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (1999). Designing qualitative research (3rd. ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Miller, S. I., & Fredericks, M. (1999). How does grounded theory explain? Qualitative Health Research, 9,4, 538-551.
Morse, J. M. (Ed.). (1997). Completing a qualitative research project: Details and dialogue. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Partington, D. (2000). Building grounded theories of management action. British Journal of Management, 11, 91-102.
Partington, D. (Ed.). (2002). Essential skills for management research. London: Sage.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Rennie, D. L. (2000). Grounded theory methodology as methodical hermeneutics. Theory and Psychology, 10(4), 481-502.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publicaations.
Thulesius, H. (2003). Balancing cancer from a primary care perspective; Diagnosis, posttraumatic stress, and end-of-life care. Unpublished Doctoral dissertation, Lund University, Malmo.