Sociology \ Research Methods \ Grounded Theory
Grounded Theory is a systematic methodology in the social sciences that involves constructing theories through the methodical gathering and analysis of data. It is a research approach advanced by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in the 1960s. This method differs from the traditional scientific method, which typically starts with a hypothesis; instead, grounded theory begins with data collection and further entails generating theoretical constructs grounded directly in the empirical data.
The process of grounded theory involves several key components:
Data Collection: Researchers gather qualitative data through interviews, observations, surveys, and other means. Unlike other methodologies, the data collection process in grounded theory is not guided by a predefined hypothesis but by the emergent data.
Open Coding: In this initial phase, the researcher breaks down the collected data into discrete parts, closely examining and comparing these parts to identify significant categories, properties, and dimensions.
Axial Coding: Here, the researcher reassembles the data by making connections between categories and subcategories. This step helps in understanding how categories relate to each other, creating a coherent structure within the data.
Selective Coding: At this stage, the researcher identifies a core category that integrates all other categories. This central phenomenon often emerges naturally and becomes the foundation around which the theory is constructed.
Theoretical Sampling: This is a strategic selection of new data to feed into the analysis, focused on refining and elaborating the emerging theory. The sampling continues until theoretical saturation is reached — that is, when additional data no longer provides new insights.
Memo Writing: Researchers maintain detailed notes or memos throughout the process to document the development of ideas and theoretical concepts. Memos are crucial for tracing the evolution of thoughts and ensuring the grounded theory maintains a robust connection with the data.
Grounded theory emphasizes iterative progression: researchers continually move back and forth between data collection, coding, and memo writing. This constant comparative method sharpens the emergent categories and establishes the theoretical framework solidly grounded in the empirical evidence.
The final product of grounded theory is a substantive theory that explains the studied phenomenon and is richly grounded in data from the participants’ perspectives. This method is particularly valuable in sociology for its ability to produce deep, contextually rich understandings of complex social processes.
In summary, grounded theory offers a rigorous yet flexible approach to qualitative research, enabling sociologists to develop theories that emerge organically from real-world observations and interactions. By intertwining data collection and analysis, it ensures that the resultant theoretical constructs are intrinsically linked to the lived experiences of the study participants.