Grounded Theory Methodology

The overarching research goal for which grounded theory methodology (GTM) is used is to understand the basic social processes that underlie a phenomenon in socially or experientially relevant domains of human life (Charmaz, 2006 ; Glaser & Strauss, 1967 ). It is also a popular methodology adopted by qualitative researchers in social science disciplines and medical and health sciences. In psychology too, its popularity and use are gaining momentum as literature documenting detailed procedures about conducting grounded theory research is readily available (Chamberlain, 1999 ). Since its inception in 1967, signified by publication of The Discovery of Grounded Theory by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, the orientation of GTM has been to generate a theory from data (socially experienced realities, symbolic constructions, and communicated meanings; Henwood, 2006 ) rather than vice versa as done in social science research involving hypothesis testing. However, even Glaser and Strauss developed differences of opinion over whether the generation of a theory from data is purely a process of induction. As Charmaz ( 2000 ) pointed out, Glaser ’ s stance is that of positivist epistemology, but Strauss (with his co-author, Juliet Corbin) moved a step further toward postpositivism by pressing for giving a voice to the participants despite adhering to the assumptions of an objective external reality (Strauss & Corbin, 1998 ). Charmaz, a student of Glaser and Strauss, moved sharply away from the assumptions of pure induction and explicated the inevitable role of the researcher ’ s experiential and theoretical inclination in shaping the procedures of data collection, analysis, and reporting. Today there are diverse assumptions and procedures about how a grounded theorist may move from data to theory. Charmaz ( 2006 , 2008 ) pointed out that despite the presence of diverse approaches within GTM, there are some common and basic methodological procedures involved in these approaches. These are coding, memo writing, theoretical sampling, and theoretical saturation.