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Grounded Theory

Urquhart, Cathy LU (2016) In The Wiley Blackwell-ICA international encyclopedias of communication
Abstract
This entry describes the basic aspects of grounded theory method (GTM) and covers four key points. First, the goal of GTM is to generate a theory. Often the coding procedures are leveraged independently by researchers for data analysis, not to generate a theory. Second, the use of GTM implies a noncommittal literature review, where the emerging theory determines the relevance of that literature review. There is an absolute obligation on the part of grounded theorists to engage their emergent theory with the existing literature, for theory-building purposes. Third, overlapping data collection and analysis are recommended, but not essential, because they help build the emerging theory using theoretical sampling and “slices of data” to build... (More)
This entry describes the basic aspects of grounded theory method (GTM) and covers four key points. First, the goal of GTM is to generate a theory. Often the coding procedures are leveraged independently by researchers for data analysis, not to generate a theory. Second, the use of GTM implies a noncommittal literature review, where the emerging theory determines the relevance of that literature review. There is an absolute obligation on the part of grounded theorists to engage their emergent theory with the existing literature, for theory-building purposes. Third, overlapping data collection and analysis are recommended, but not essential, because they help build the emerging theory using theoretical sampling and “slices of data” to build it out and densify it. Fourth, the history of GTM involves a major intellectual dispute and consequent split between its founders, Glaser and Strauss. Understanding this split helps us understand grounded theory. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy
series title
The Wiley Blackwell-ICA international encyclopedias of communication
editor
Bruhn Jensen, Klaus ; Craig, Robert T. ; Pooley, Jefferson D. and Rothenbuhler, Eric W.
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
ISBN
9781118766804
9781118290736
DOI
10.1002/9781118766804.wbiect181
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
23ead1b0-c29d-47d5-925d-ac1a150ed48d
date added to LUP
2023-11-23 12:24:09
date last changed
2023-11-23 12:24:09
@inbook{23ead1b0-c29d-47d5-925d-ac1a150ed48d,
  abstract     = {{This entry describes the basic aspects of grounded theory method (GTM) and covers four key points. First, the goal of GTM is to generate a theory. Often the coding procedures are leveraged independently by researchers for data analysis, not to generate a theory. Second, the use of GTM implies a noncommittal literature review, where the emerging theory determines the relevance of that literature review. There is an absolute obligation on the part of grounded theorists to engage their emergent theory with the existing literature, for theory-building purposes. Third, overlapping data collection and analysis are recommended, but not essential, because they help build the emerging theory using theoretical sampling and “slices of data” to build it out and densify it. Fourth, the history of GTM involves a major intellectual dispute and consequent split between its founders, Glaser and Strauss. Understanding this split helps us understand grounded theory.}},
  author       = {{Urquhart, Cathy}},
  booktitle    = {{The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy}},
  editor       = {{Bruhn Jensen, Klaus and Craig, Robert T. and Pooley, Jefferson D. and Rothenbuhler, Eric W.}},
  isbn         = {{9781118766804}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{The Wiley Blackwell-ICA international encyclopedias of communication}},
  title        = {{Grounded Theory}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781118766804.wbiect181}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/9781118766804.wbiect181}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}