Grounded theory: origin, characteristics, definition, examples

The Grounded theory it is a systematic method in social sciences that requires the construction of theories from the collection and analysis of data. Unlike the hypothetical deductive method, it is an inductive research methodology.

The Grounded Theory originated in the School of Sociology of Chicago, when Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss decided to publish the book The Discovery of Grounded Theory . In this book they explain how the discovery of the theory can be encouraged from data rigorously obtained and analyzed in social research.

Barney Glaser

Glaser and Strauss conceived this approach in the 1960s. Both creators were sociologists, and the theory was developed by the two. However, they had a different academic and personal education, but at the same time complementary.

Strauss had a recognized track record in the implementation of qualitative research; While studying at the University of Chicago, he fell in love with that approach. In addition Strauss was influenced by R. Park, W. Thomas, J. Dewey, G. H. Mead, E. Huges and H. Blumer.

For his part, Glaser comes from Columbia University, with a strong tradition of quantitative research. He was inspired and influenced by the works of P. F. Lazarfesfeld, who was a great innovator in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

During his training Glaser was influenced by H. Hyman, Barton, B. McPhee, B. Bereldsony, among others. In writing this methodology book, Glaser and Strauss sought to legitimize qualitative research and, in addition, demonstrate the possibility of constructing theories from data.

The Discovery of Grounded Theory It was conceived to invite researchers to go beyond simple ethnographic descriptions.

Background

Among the most important antecedents of the discovery of the grounded theory are the works of Lazarfesfeld (1984) on the construction of empirical indices based on concepts.

The foundations of the grounded Theory are designed through the analytical methodology and the qualitative inductive analysis procedures, discovered during the 50s and 60s, by researchers and students of sociology.

Main characteristics

- The founded Theory is inductive, since it seeks to establish or generate theories from observed data. An investigation using this methodology would begin with a question or only with the collection of qualitative data.

- Allows contrast existing theories with emerging theories.

- The outgoing theory will be useful both for the academic communities, as well as for the actors involved.

- It is based on the Pragmatism of J. Dewey and in the symbolic Interactionism of H. Blumer.

- The process is flexible, emergent, in constant construction.

- It uses collection techniques, such as interviewing, observation, discussion, record of notes, diaries of lives, among others.

- The researchers collect the data and classify them by categories.

- The method itself offers a guide to identify categories and establish relationships between them.

- Unlike other processes, it allows to collect the data and analyze them until reaching the saturation of categories.

- To choose the central category, the other categories must be related to it. In addition, the data must be recurrent and the indicators must point to it.

- After categorization, the next step is the coding of the categories.

- This approach is based on four steps: open coding of data or information, axial coding of information, selective coding and delimitation of emerging theory.

- For the Grounded Theory the important thing is the data, not the researcher.

- The researcher is simply a witness during the data collection.

- The researcher must be open to changes until it reaches saturation levels.

- The researcher must have the ability to think abstractly

Definition of grounded theory from different authors

Glaser

For Glaser (1992), the grounded theory is a methodology of analysis, which starts from the systematic collection of data, to generate an inductive theory about a substantive area.

Strauss

Strauss (2004) indicates that"the Grounded theory is not a theory, but a methodology to discover theories that doze in the data".

Charmaz

For its part, Charmaz (2005) defines a set of systematic inductive methods to perform qualitative research aimed at developing the theory.

Examples

Mathematics from the Grounded Theory

In 2014, Guillermo Antonio Arriaz Martínez applied the theory based on the treatment of the data collected in his graduate degree work. Didactic situations in the virtual scenario: a view of mathematics education from the grounded theory .

Its purpose was to generate a theoretical approach on didactic situations in the virtual scenario.

Arraiz concluded that by using this methodology in mathematics education, the researcher will be able to reflexively generate new theoretical postulates.

These postulates will be developed based on the reality and practice of the profession, thus nurturing knowledge and discipline.

Care for seriously ill

In the health field, the Grounded Theory allows nursing professionals to contextualize the care of patients.

From this it will be possible to better understand the subjective experience of people who have been diagnosed with a serious illness or who are going through the process of death.

In this way they will be able to offer patients a holistic and competent care. Thanks to the Grounded Theory, the nature of human behavior will be better understood through the creation of theories about psychosocial phenomena.

The guilt in psychopaths

Contribution of grounded theory to the study of guilt in scammers classified as high and low in psychopathy.

To carry out this investigation, 10 subjects deprived of liberty were interviewed for the crime of fraud, and then a checklist of psychopathy was applied to 34 subjects deprived of their liberty.

Those who had higher and lower scores were interviewed. The answers were analyzed applying the Grounded theory.

Thus, novel categories that appeared from the data were found.

By comparing the presence of these categories according to the scores of psychopathy , it was found that the fault was associated with a more internal and controllable locus.

They also found a link with a sense focused on others, which emphasized the moral aspects of people and their situations.

Theory Caring with Honor

Another example of application of this approach is the theory Caring with Honor, used in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of the USA. UU There they provide hospital and outpatient medical care to veterans.

The Theory represents a process of development through which health professionals relate to veterans through a process of enculturation, connection, testimony, honor, care and empathy.

When health professionals relate to veterans, especially combat, they begin to understand that they need special, different attention.

This is because they have lived moments that will leave indelible psychological traces. In that process of empathy The health professional feels a strong commitment to take care of them with honor.

References

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5. "Informative texts". Retrieved from: groundedtheoryreview.com
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