Grounded Theory: Methodology and Theory Construction

Grounded theory is introduced as an inductive, comparative methodology that provides systematic guidelines for gathering, synthesizing, analyzing, and conceptualizing qualitative data for the purpose of theory construction. The founders of grounded theory, Barney G. Glaser and Anselm L. Strauss, offered the first explicit, codified statement of how to analyze qualitative data. The intellectual traditions of each of its founders are discussed. Strauss brought Chicago School pragmatism, symbolic interactionism, and field research to grounded theory and Glaser's training in survey research gave the method its systematic approach, positivist proclivities, and procedural language. Debates between Glaser and Strauss and Corbin are noted and the distinction between objectivist and constructivist grounded theory is introduced. Objectivist grounded theory assumes the reality of an external world, takes for granted a neutral observer, views categories as derived from data, and sees representation of data and subjects as non-problematic. Constructivist grounded theory places priority on the studied phenomenon over the methods of studying it, uses grounded theory strategies as tools, not as prescriptions, and acknowledges the researcher's role in interpreting data and creating categories. Techniques involved in three major grounded theory strategies are described: coding, memomaking, and theoretical sampling. Last, a statement of current emphases and future directions is provided.