Using Grounded Theory Methods to Inform the Design of an Authoring Tool

qualitative data to construct theories ‘grounded’ in the data themselves...” (Charmaz 2006, p.2). According to Glaser and Strauss (1967) Grounded Theory Methods (GTM) represent a rigorous set of practices for exploring a new domain or a domain which lacks a dominant theory. However, Grounded Theory (GT) is not just a set of procedures to be followed in a study, but an approach which supports the researcher to make sense of data (Charmaz, 2006) and offers methods to think about data (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) in an iterative way. Since Glaser and Strauss (1967) introduced GT in sociology, it has been adopted in other domains, being remodelled and adapted for various specific purposes. For example, in their study on various GT uses in Information Systems (IS), which included 126 empirical GT papers, Matavire and Brown (2008) identified four different approaches, as follows: a) “Glaserian” – a traditional inductive approach, that aims for extracting the theory from data, without established ideas and processes; b) “Straussian” – which introduces preconceived frameworks and theories, as well as more directed research questions; c) mixed methodology – which aims to combine GT with other research methods (e.g. activity theory or action research); d) technique application – does not fall in any of the previous categories, but makes sense of data by applying GT methods, such as open coding, axial coding, selective coding, memos and diagrams.