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Catherine Urquhart

Visiting professor

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Grounded Theory

Author

  • Cathy Urquhart

Editor

  • Klaus Bruhn Jensen
  • Robert T. Craig
  • Jefferson D. Pooley
  • Eric W. Rothenbuhler

Summary, in English

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.

Publishing year

2016-10-23

Language

English

Publication/Series

The Wiley Blackwell-ICA international encyclopedias of communication

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Information Systems

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 9781118290736
  • ISBN: 9781118766804