What Is Grounded Theory?

The grounded theory research method is a research method developed by two scholars, Anselm Strauss and Barney Glaser of Columbia University. It is a qualitative research method that uses a systematic program to develop and inductively guide a rooted theory for a certain phenomenon.

Grounded theory

Grounded Theory (GT) is a method of qualitative research. Its main purpose is to establish a theory based on empirical data (Strauss, 1987: 5). Researchers generally do not have theoretical assumptions before starting research.

The basic ideas of grounded theory include the following aspects.

The operating procedures of grounded theory generally include: 1) generating concepts from data and registering the data step by step: 2) constantly comparing data and concepts, and systematically asking generative theoretical questions related to concepts; 3) developing the theory Sexual concepts, establish the connection between concepts and concepts; 4) Theoretical sampling, systematically encode data; 5) Construct the theory, and strive to obtain the density of theoretical concepts,

The following uses an example provided by Strauss in "A Qualitative Analysis for Social Scientists" (1987: 12-7) to demonstrate the process of analyzing data by taking root in theoretical methods.

The theory of grounded theory research is a pan-action system. This analysis method allows readers to examine the interactive nature of events. It uses the decoding paradigm to analyze social entities, and action / interaction is the core of this paradigm.

Grounded Theory Action System Nature

1. It consists of a hierarchy of conditions that interact with each other and are related to the general (distant) to special (closer) relationship with the phenomenon under study.

2. The conditions at the above levels can be: for the phenomenon to be studied, the cause of the phenomenon; the context in which action / interaction takes place; or between the context and action / interaction, which will promote the latter Or mediating conditions of inhibition.

3. Action / interaction lies between many conditions and is the core of the pan-action system.

4. Because actions / interactions occur in sequences that are related to each other, its essence is process.

5. Actions / interactions produce some results, which may have a significant impact on conditions at different levels.

6. Temporality is contained in conditions.

7. Conditions can promote or inhibit actions / interactions, and sudden changes in conditions can create unexpected and problematic situations that must be addressed.

8. We call the above pan-action system a condition matrix-that is, a complex network of conditions, actions / interactions related to a phenomenon, linked to each other.

Benefits of grounded theoretical condition matrices

1. It helps to improve the sense of theory and thinks about various situations related to the phenomenon under study.

2. It enhances your theoretical sense of the possible outcomes of action / interaction.

3. It can help you systematically link conditions, actions / interactions and results to phenomena.

The general nature of the conditional matrix hierarchy

1. The outermost layer: the international level. This includes matters such as international politics, government regulations, culture, values, philosophy, economics, history, and international issues such as the ecological environment.

2. The second level: the level of the country. Including domestic politics, government regulations, culture, history, economic, social issues and various disputes, etc.

3. The third level: the level of the community, including the content of the second level, and also the characteristics of the community's population.

4. The fourth level: organizational and institutional levels. Each of these two levels has its structure, rules, issues, and history.

5. Fifth level: suborganizational and subinsititutional levels. Including the level at which the phenomenon under study occurs.