Grounded theory

Expalin about Grounded theory

1. GROUNDED THEORY MOHD SUFI AMIN BIN SALMEE

2. Definition of Grounded Theory History of Grounded Theory When do you use ground theory? • Types of grounded theory designs • The steps in conducting Grounded Theory Research? • How do you evaluate Grounded Theory Research Overview

3. What is Grounded Theory? “Grounded theory" refers to theory that is developed inductively from a corpus of data. A specific methodology developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967) for the purpose of building theory from data. In their book the term grounded theory is used in a more sense to denote theoretical constructs derived form qualitative analysis of data . ( Corbin & Strauss, 2008 ) In a grounded theory study, the researchers intend to generate a theory that is “grounded ” in data from participants who have experienced the process . (Strauss & Corbin, 1998)

4. Grounded theories are not generated before a study begins, but are formed inductively from the data that are collected during the study itself . In other word, researchers start with the data they have collected and then develop generalizations after they look at the data. “One does not begin with a theory, then prove it. Rather one begins with an area of study and what is relevant to that area is allowed to emerge.” (Strauss and Corbin, 1998)

5. Examples: Suppose that a researcher is interested in how ‘principals try to maintain and enhance morale among the teachers in their schools’. He or she might conduct a series of in-depth interviews with a number of principals in a few large urban high schools . In addition, the researcher not only observes how the principals interact with their faculties and listen to what they have to say, but also interviews some of their teachers and continually examines and thinks about the data he or she has collected through the interviews and observations . Gradually, the researcher develops a theory about what effective principals do to maintain and enhance morale among their teachers. The theory is then modified over time as the researcher observes and interviews even more principals and teachers. The point to stress here, however, is that the researcher does not go in with a theory ahead of time; rather he or she develops a theory out of the data that are collected —that is , one that is grounded in the data.

6. History of Grounded Theory Two sociologists, Barney G. Glaser and Anselm L Strauss, developed grounded theory in the late 1960s. University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center - At that time, Strauss and Glaser conducted social science research in hospitals on death awareness. They were trying to produce a new theory rather than verify the existing theory . • Glaser and Strauss developed a pioneering book that expounded in detail on their grounded theory procedures, The Discovery of Grounded Theory(1967).

7. When do you use grounded theory? when you need a broad theory or explanation of a process. • especially helpful when current theories about a phenomenon are either inadequate or nonexistent (Creswell, 2008). • when you wish to study some process, such as : how students develop as writers ( Neff, 1998 ) , how high-achieving African American and Caucasian women’s career develop.

8. Types of grounded theory designs There are three dominant designs for grounded theory: Systematic design Emergent Design Constructivist approach

9. The steps in conducting a grounded theory Rather than beginning by researching and developing a hypothesis, the first step is data collection, through a variety of methods (This contrasts with the scientific perspective that how you generate a theory). • From the data collected, the key points are marked with a series of codes, which are extracted from the text. • The codes are grouped into similar concepts in order to make them more workable . • From these concepts, categories are formed, which are the basis for the creation of a theory.

10. How do you evaluate Grounded Theory Research? When evaluating the quality of a Grounded Theory study: • Is there an obvious connection between the categories and the raw data? • Is the theory useful as a conceptual explanation for the process being studied? • Does the theory provide a relevant explanation of actual problems and a basic process? • Is the theory modified as conditions change or the researcher collects additional data ? Ask about the process of research: • Is a theoretical model developed or generated? Is the intent of this model to conceptualize a process, an action, or an interaction? • Is there a central phenomenon (or core category) specified at the heart of this model? • Does the model emerge through phases of coding? (e.g. initial codes to more theoretically oriented codes or from open coding to axial coding to selective coding)?

11. The Strength of GT Takes researchers’ perceptions into account in the research process Offers opportunities to the researchers to use their values and understanding in order to generate a new theory for a very complex phenomenon Allow researchers to develop a more rigorous theory, instead of examine existing theory To produce theory with detail information Provide systematic methodology for researchers

12. Limitations of GT Freedom and flexibility would contribute to potential harm in grounded theory (in terms of data, validity) The methodology might be too complex for novice researchers Misunderstanding that they should ignore literature review – as GT design able to generate theory that does not available in the current literature. There is a risk that G-Theorist fail to develop a solid theory after interpreting data The generated theory might be contaminated by researcher’s bias

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