CHAPTER 18 Grounded Theory

Grounded Theory is an approach to research which is based in the qualitative tradition. Grounded Theory is based on the premise that it is the questions that we ask – rather than the actual situation – that determines our research findings. The results of ‘traditional’ research therefore present a disingenuous view of organisations.

The research question – there isn’t one! Instead, researchers approach their work with: a vague sense of the issues a vague sense of what might be involved a vague sense of who might be involved Using a Grounded Theory approach...

The literature review – there isn’t one! Instead, researchers approach their work with: a vague sense of the theoretical landscape a vague sense of the key theories a vague sense of which authors they might need to look at

This creates tensions: 1)Most universities require a project proposal. Your work is ‘approved’: this is a way of managing risk. 2)Most proposals require ethical approval to ensure that they do not compromise you, your stakeholders or the university. Both of these need a clear sense of what you are planning to do – which is not possible in Grounded Theory.

The Grounded Theory process

Theoretical sampling A process of data collection and contemporaneous analysis in which ‘the analyst jointly collects, codes and analyses his data and then decides what data to collect next and where to find them’ (Glaser and Strauss, 1967: 45)

Constant comparison Code and classify data from current interview Compare themes which emerge from the language used Code and classify data from current interview Compare themes which emerge from the language used Within-narrative comparison Between- narrative comparison

Data saturation The point at which no new insights are being generated: nothing from the within-narrative comparisons nothing from the between-narrative comparisons. Each of the categories (fed by codes and concepts) has sufficient content to produce trustworthy research findings.

The coding process Codes: short descriptions of what is happening Concepts: higher-level themed groups of codes Categories: a smaller number of key groups Theories: the results of the coding process

The coding process

Producing research findings from Grounded Theory The Grounded Theory approach is not literature-free: the literature is used to inform the research findings. Claims should be supported by evidence – using quotes, showing how codes lead to theory and integrating the literature. Student Activity 1