a family of approaches developed in sociology as a response to hypothesis-first research models - Glaser and Strauss
instead of starting with a theory, you can do field work and generate ground up inductive hypothesis from the collected data
saturating the questions as you engage with data, develop concepts from micro to macro
construct a model as it emerges from the data
interpreting patterns and meaning
justifiable as by reference to the data
explanatory, not just descriptive
is it even possible to not confirm to existing models and ideas you have
constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006;2014) - emphasises that data and theory are co-constructed by researcher and participant - not fixed truths, interpretative, situated representations of experience
data collection and analysis in parallel, see emerging patterns
developing conceptual categories for theory building
theoretical sampling - decisions on who and what to study are guided by developing theories
use of multiple data types - elicited and non-elicited data
don’t look to confirm assumptions but allow the data to speak
line-by-line coding - each time you engage you do sense-making
what process is described or enacted, how is that defined by the participant
what actions and strategies are taking place
how you listen to the data may change
how is the participant claiming to thinking and feeling throughout - but remember inaccessibility of our own narratives, life as lived, narrative always evolving
shifts or turning points where the process changes
outcomes and effects of the process
active listening, active witnessing, finding the complexities without assigning meaning based on assumption
begin writing memos early that reflect recurring codes, early observations
memos as a thinking space - short analytical notes, questions that arise
relations - sequence, hierarchy, interaction
you keep collecting until the data isn’t revealing any more theories
show and share data to justify each theory or category, explain how they connect, create structure around what they reveal
final theories often communicated in everyday language, not too expert-specific