About  your  research  methodology  – a  Grounded  Theory  methodological  approach

Dr  Rica  Viljoen

Presentation  at  Da  Vinci  Eskom  Research  Conference

2014

On  Research

“A  journey  begins  before  the  travellers  depart.    So,  too,  our  Grounded  Theory  adventure  begins  as  we  seek  

information  about  what  a  grounded  journey  entails  and  what  to  expect  along  the  way.”  

Charmaz,  2006:  1

The  emotional  experience  of  a  researcher

“Theory  derived  from  data  is  more  likely  to  resemble  the  ‘reality’  than  is  theory  derived  by  putting  together  a  series  of  concepts  based  on  experience  or  solely  through  speculation  (how  one  thinks  things  ought  to  work).  Grounded  theories,  because  they  are  drawn  from  data,  are  likely  to  offer  insight,  enhance  understanding,  and  provide  a  meaningful  guide  to  

action.”  

Strauss  &  Corbin,  1998,  p.12

Grounded  Theory  (GT)

History  of  GTDeveloped  in  the  School  of  Nursing,  University  of  California  San  Francisco  by  sociologists  Glaser  and  Strauss  – Awareness  

of  Dying

Influenced  by  Symbolic  Interactionism  (Blumer 1969:  2)

-­‐ Human  beings  act  towards  things  on  the  basis  of  the  meanings  that  these  things  have  for  them;-­‐ The  meaning  of  such  things  is  derived  from,  and  arises  out  of,  the  social  interaction  that  one  has  with  one’s  fellows;-­‐ These  meanings  are  handled  in,  and  modified  through,  an  interpretive  process  used  by  the  person  in  dealing  with  the  thing  he  encounters.

History  of  GT1960’s  move  from  natural  science  as  the  foundation  of  social  research  – new  ways  of  investigating  the  social  world

• Denzin and  Lincoln’s  – Modernist  moment• Realist  ontology• Epistemology–objective  truths,  generalisable,  testable  and  verifiable  

theory• Place  of  the  researched  and  the  researcher  – ‘discovery  of  theory’• The  move  in  social  science  towards  postmodernism  and  post-­‐

structuralism  has  resulted  in  GT  being  attacked  for  its  objectivist  and  positivist  foundations.

• In  later  works  Glaser  and  Strauss,  take  on  the  language  associated  with  interpretivism -­‐ change  in  foundation  

• Now  mostly  associated  with  a  post-­‐modernistic  or  social  constructivist  ontology  and  an  interprevistic epistemology  

Definitions‘To  generate  or  discover  a  theory’  

(Glaser  and  Strauss,  1967)

‘The  discovery  of  theory  from  data  systematically  obtained  from  social  research’  

(Glaser  and  Strauss  1967:  2)

‘Systemic  approach  towards  finding  themes  that  emerge  from  data,  grounded  in  theory’

(Viljoen,  2012)

Different  approaches

• Glaser– (1998)  emergence  of  themes

• Corbin  and  Strauss  (1990)– Systemic  approach  create  validity    

• Viljoen– Incorporate  design  theory  (Ackoff and  Strumpher)  with  social  systems  theory  (Senge)  in  data-­‐analysis  phase

Features  of  Grounded  Theory  Charmaz (1995,  2002):

• Simultaneous  collection  and  analysis  of  data• Creation  of  analytic  codes  and  categories  developed  from  

data  and  not  by  pre-­‐existing  conceptualisations (theoretical  sensitivity)

• Discovery  of  basic  social  processes  in  the  data• Inductive  construction  of  abstract  categories• Theoretical  sampling  to  refine  categories• Writing  analytical  memos  as  the  stage  between  coding  and  

writing• The  integration  of  categories  into  a  theoretical  framework.

Data  Collection

‘all  is  data’

• In-­‐depth  interviews• – Most  commonly  used  – Relies  on  open  ended  questions  – Questions  can  be  modified  to  reflect  emerging  theory

• Observational  methods• Focus  Group  – Can  be  used• 8-­‐18  voices  – often  narrative

Coding

• Open  Coding• Axial  Coding• Selective  Coding• Theoretical  Coding  

Bottom  linedriven

Silo  Mentality

Effectiveness  ofLeadership

Clear  Vision

Integration

SatisfiedPeople

Collaboration

Availabilityof  skills  (EXT)

Innovation

Sustainability

Strategy

KnowledgeManagement

PeopleManagement

Communication

LegislationOrganisational

Structure

PeopleCompetencies

Globalisation

Technology

How  to  conduct  Quality  Research• Charmaz (2006:  182)  :    

– credibility– originality– resonance– usefulness    

• Glasier (2001,2003)  :  – Fit has  to  do  with  how  closely  concepts  fit  with  the  incidents  they  are  

representing,  and  this  is  related  to  how  thoroughly  the  constant  comparison  of  incidents  to  concepts  was  done.

– Relevance: A  relevant  study  deals  with  the  real  concern  of  participants,  evokes  "grab"  (captures  the  attention)  and  is  not  only  of  academic  interest.

– Workability: The  theory  works  when  it  explains  how  the  problem  is  being  solved  with  much  variation.

– Modifiability: A  modifiable  theory  can  be  altered  when  new  relevant  data  

References• Charmaz,  K.  &  Bryant,  A.,  2010.  Grounded  Theory.  In  International  Encyclopedia  ofEducation.  

Oxford:  Elsevier,  pp.  406–412.  Available  at:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B735N-­‐502X2YTSX/ 2/e31754873a8f8fb35be74b6c26ae5231  [Accessed  October  26,  2010].

• Charmaz,  Kathy,  2006.  Constructing  Grounded  Theory:  A  Practical  Guide  through  Qualitative  Analysis  1st  ed.,  Sage  Publications  Ltd.

• Cohen,  L.,  Manion,  L.  &  Morrison,  K.R.B.,  2000.  Research  methods  in  education,  Routledge.• Corbin,  J.  &  Strauss,  A.,  1990.  Grounded  Theory  Research:  Procedures,  Canoncs and  Evaluative  

Criteria.  Zeitschrift fur  Soziologie,  19(7),  pp.418–427.• Goulding,  C.,  2002.  Grounded  theory:  a  practical  guide  for  management,  business  and  market  

researchers,  SAGE.• Guba,  E.G.,  1981.  ERIC/ECTJ  Annual  Review  Paper:  Criteria  for  Assessing  the• Trustworthiness  of  Naturalistic  Inquiries.  Educational  Communication  and• Technology:  A  Journal  of  Theory,  Research,  and  Development,  29(2),  pp.75–91.• Guest,  G.  &  MacQueen,  K.M.,  2008.  Handbook  for  team-­‐based  qualitative  research,Rowman

Altamira• Shannak,  R.O.  &  Aldhmour,  F.M.,  2009.  Grounded  Theory  as  a  Methodology  for  Theory  Generation  

in  Information  Systems  Research.  European  Journal  of  Economics,  Finance  and  Administrative  Sciences,  15.

• Shenton,  A.K.,  2004.  Strategies  for  ensuring  trustworthiness  in  qualitative  research  projects.  Education  for  information,  22(2),  pp.63–76.