using grounded theory approach: from start to finish
TRANSCRIPT
Using Grounded Theory Approach
FROM START TO FINISH
Philip Adu, Ph.D.Methodology Expert National Center for Academic & Dissertation Excellence (NCADE)The Chicago School Of Professional [email protected]@drphilipadu
This presentation is based on
Charmaz, K. (2014).
Constructing Grounded Theory.
London: SAGE Publications.
Gibbs, G. R. (2015, February 04). A Discussion with Prof
Kathy Charmaz on Grounded Theory. Retrieved October
05, 2017, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5AHmHQS6WQ
Outline
1. Introduction to grounded theory
2. Meaning of a theory (from an interpretivist perspective)
3. Characteristics of a grounded theory approach
4. Data collection strategies (informed by ethnographic method)
Interviews
Observations
Document/artifact collection
5. Data analysis process
Initial coding
Focused coding
Theoretical coding
6. Visual representation of the theory
Introduction to Grounded Theory
Systematic and repetitive (iterative) process
Mining rich data (i.e. actions, events, and processes)
Driven by
the research problem/question
Gaps identified during initial data analysis (i.e. questions which the
current data are not adequate to address)
Developing theory to explain/understand a phenomenon
Charmaz (2014)
Introduction to Grounded Theory
When to use grounded theory
Explain a phenomenon (Ex. Leadership, bullying, success, disability, discrimination, racism, loneliness, mental health stigma)
Examine an experience (Ex. Living with metal health issue, homelessness, domestic violence)
Understand actions, events or processes
Features of a grounded theory research question
Open-ended
Normally starts with ‘how’, ‘what’, or ‘why’
Charmaz (2014)
Meaning of a Theory (from an Interpretivist Perspective)
Abstract description of how concepts are related
Representing data collected
Focusing on explaining an/a action, event or process
Different from a positivist perspective
Quantitative proposition tested through experiments/observations
Containing relationships between variables that are measurable
Charmaz (2014)
Characteristics of a Grounded
Theory Approach 1. Grounded theorist should have no preconceived ideas
Bracketing your background and prior knowledge
No literature review before collecting and analyzing data (if possible)
No application of existing theories
2. Analysis should be data-driven
Rich data is sought to fill the gaps in the initial analysis
Actively searching for data to ‘test’ the categories and potential theory
Conducting theoretical sampling
3. The theorist should use constant comparison method
Comparing “data with data”, data with category/theory, and category with category (p. 132)
“Make efforts to learn and
examine how your past
influences the way you see the
world and your data.” (p. 116)
Charmaz (2014)
Characteristics of a Grounded
Theory Approach
4. Write memo
Writing about anything you think it is important
Thought process during data collection and analysis stage
Definitions of the codes and categories
How theory is being developed
Experience in the field
5. Attain Saturation
Reaching a stage where new data doesn’t warrant an
adjustment to the categories or theory
Constantly comparing categories/theory with the data (Abductiveinference)
Very different from the traditional saturation in qualitative data collection Charmaz (2014)
Abductive inference entails
considering all plausible theoretical
explanations for the surprising data,
forming hypotheses for each possible
explanation, and checking these
hypotheses empirically by examining
data to arrive at the most plausible
explanation.” (p. 200)
Data Collection Strategies (Informed by Ethnographic Method)
What constitutes ethnographic approach?
Going to the field (i.e. participants’ natural environment)
Actively searching for rich data
Engaging in participants’ observations with no or little intrusion
Actively interacting with participants and data
Getting close to the action
Spending time with participants and building trust
Similar to ethnographic approach, grounded theory focuses on mainly collecting primary data
“When you collect first-hand data,
however, you see the setting, observe
interactions, witness research
participants’ non-verbal behavior,
and hear their voices as well as see
written accounts” (p. 111)
Charmaz (2014)
Data Collection Strategies (Informed by Ethnographic Method)
Interviews
“Intensive interviewing” (p. 48) but not interrogative interviewing
Ask mainly open-ended questions
Give participants ‘space’ to share their experiences and thoughts
Empathize with them
Activity involved in the conservation
Observations
Decide what to observe (what are you looking for?)
Observe or participate in their activities (daily routine) with no or little intrusion
Take extensive notes (i.e. field notes)which could be
What you see
What you think is going on
Document/artifact collection
Assessing
Intent of the authors
Situation that led to development of the document
Intended audience
Research problem/question
drives the choice of your
data collection strategies.
Charmaz (2014)
Data Analysis Process
Data analysis involves
Examining underlying meanings of data
Reducing data to abstract concepts
Summarizing data
Things to think about when conducting a grounded theory analysis
Be open to multiple interpretation of the data
Be flexible as you look for leads and answers
Note that language is used to express ourselves
Multiple realities multiple expressions
Charmaz (2014)
Data Analysis Process
Three main stages
Initial coding
Assigning labels to the significant portions of the data
Focused coding
Selecting relevant or dominant codes and determining their
connection with other codes
Theoretical coding
Creating connections between categories relating them to data
“Coding should inspire us to
examine hidden assumptions in
our use of language as well as
that of our participants” p. 114
Charmaz (2014)
Data Analysis Process
Initial coding involves
Actively engaging with the data
Looking for implicit and explicit meanings
Assumptions behind participants’ statements
Implications of their statements
Labeling portions of the data
Coding actions, happenings, and processes
Using gerund (i.e. Verb + ‘ing’ = noun)
Ex. Feeling determined, making informed decisions, managing pain
Conducting line-by-line coding
Coding each line of the of the document
Using constant comparative method
Comparing data with codes, data with data, and codes with codes
“We gain a strong sense of
action and sequence with
gerunds.” p.120
Charmaz (2014)
Data Analysis Process
Focused coding
Assessing the initial codes generated
Asking the following questions:
What is the practical meanings (empirical properties) of the codes?
What are assumptions associated to the codes?
Sorting codes
Select relevant or dominant codes
Generate categories
By grouping the remaining codes around the dominant codes
Finding patterns and gaps in the categories
By comparing the categories to the data
“At first, you compare data
with data to find similarities
and differences. For example,
compare interview statements
and incidents within the same
interview and compare
statements and incidents in
different interviews. Making
sequential comparisons helps.
Compare data in earlier and
later interviews of the same
individual(s) or compare
observations of events at
different times and places.” p
132
Charmaz (2014)
Data Analysis Process
Theoretical coding
Integrating the categories (focused codes) to
form an abstract explanations of an/a action,
event, or process (Abductive inference)
Abstract statement theory
Initial theory is further compared with new
data generated through theoretical sampling
Constant comparison is done until saturation is
reached “Theoretical sampling
means seeking pertinent
data to develop your
emerging theory.” p.192
Charmaz (2014)
Abductive inference entails
considering all plausible theoretical
explanations for the surprising data,
forming hypotheses for each possible
explanation, and checking these
hypotheses empirically by examining
data to arrive at the most plausible
explanation.” (p. 200)
Visual Representation of the Theory
Using ‘Inspiration App’ Using Cmap
https://www.slideshare.net/k
ontorphilip/presenting-
qualitative-findings-using-
nvivo-output-to-tell-the-story
Using NVivo
http://www.inspiration.com/inspmaps http://cmap.ihmc.us/
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=0Zy6tLPUoWQ
(Demonstration)
SmartArt: Word Document
Summary:
Grounded Theory Analysis
Examining Your Past
Preconception-free State
Initial Coding
Basic codes
Focused Coding
Focused codes
(Categories)
Theoretical Coding
Theory
Process
Product
Particular Abstract
Charmaz (2014)
Questions
Philip Adu, Ph.D.
Methodology Expert
National Center for Academic & Dissertation Excellence (NCADE)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
You could reach me at [email protected] and @drphilipadu on twitter.
To cite this document, copy the following:
Adu, P. (2017, October 05). Using Grounded Theory Approach: From Start to Finish. Retrieved October
05, 2017, from https://www.slideshare.net/kontorphilip/using-grounded-theory-approach-from-start-to-
finish