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What are grounded theories made of?

What are grounded theories made of?
What are grounded theories made of?
Grounded theory (GT) is a popular methodology in qualitative research, and is founded on an iterative inductive and deductive cycle where theory is allowed to emerge directly from data and is ultimately tested (grounded) against ‘the real world’. However, two problems are immediately apparent. Firstly, the actual nature of grounded theory as a methodology is contentious due to a split between the two originating theorists, Secondly, it is unclear what kinds of data are acceptable in GT apart from traditional and explicitly recognised forms of contemporaneous observation and interview. This article explores implicit links in the original GT literature between ‘traditional’ and ‘non-traditional’ forms of real-world data. It is proposed that other kinds of data, including that available from survey questionnaires, may be legitimate sources of data in grounded theory studies. Some suggestions are offered for selecting appropriate forms and sources of data in GT studies.
grounded theory, mixed data sources, questionnaires, strauss and corbin
1-10
Warburton, W.I.
3771381c-a3ff-4a0f-a0fc-6e34d9ea4597
Warburton, W.I.
3771381c-a3ff-4a0f-a0fc-6e34d9ea4597

Warburton, W.I. (2005) What are grounded theories made of? 2005 University of Southamtpon LASS Faculty Post-graduate Research Conference, Southampton, UK. 06 - 07 Jun 2005. pp. 1-10 .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

Grounded theory (GT) is a popular methodology in qualitative research, and is founded on an iterative inductive and deductive cycle where theory is allowed to emerge directly from data and is ultimately tested (grounded) against ‘the real world’. However, two problems are immediately apparent. Firstly, the actual nature of grounded theory as a methodology is contentious due to a split between the two originating theorists, Secondly, it is unclear what kinds of data are acceptable in GT apart from traditional and explicitly recognised forms of contemporaneous observation and interview. This article explores implicit links in the original GT literature between ‘traditional’ and ‘non-traditional’ forms of real-world data. It is proposed that other kinds of data, including that available from survey questionnaires, may be legitimate sources of data in grounded theory studies. Some suggestions are offered for selecting appropriate forms and sources of data in GT studies.

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More information

Published date: 7 June 2005
Additional Information: Grounded theory methodology- mixed data sources.
Venue - Dates: 2005 University of Southamtpon LASS Faculty Post-graduate Research Conference, Southampton, UK, 2005-06-06 - 2005-06-07
Keywords: grounded theory, mixed data sources, questionnaires, strauss and corbin

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 16340
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/16340
PURE UUID: 0f9bea46-58df-4afb-bc19-93fe67f972dc

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Date deposited: 26 Jul 2005
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:47

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Contributors

Author: W.I. Warburton

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