Constructivist Grounded Theory
What is constructivist grounded theory?
Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) is a research method that focuses on generating new theories through inductive analysis of the data gathered from participants rather than from pre-existing theoretical frameworks. In this qualitative research approach, the researcher seeks to understand a social phenomenon and construct theories through participants’ experiences, using iterative data collection and analysis.
Unlike the traditional scientific research method, where the researcher formulates hypotheses before collecting data, the CGT approach involves constructing hypotheses and theories from emerging data. Social scientists often apply CGT to understand and explore social processes and construct theories where no previous theories exist.
Proposed by Kathy Charmaz, constructivist grounded theory is a later version of the Grounded Theory developed by Sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. Both theories are similar in many ways; however, there are differences between CGT and the traditional grounded theory. Let’s take a look at the origin of grounded theory and the evolution of CGT to help you understand these differences.
History of grounded theory
Glaser and Strauss developed the grounded theory method while working on research on terminally ill patients. They examined how dying hospital patients cope with the knowledge they were dying and their caregivers’ reactions. During their investigation, Glaser and Strauss questioned the suitability of the traditional scientific research method for their work.
In the course of the study, the duo developed the constant comparative method, which they termed grounded theory in their 1967 book, Discovery of Grounded Theory. Before then, they published Awareness of Dying, a book where they summarized their research. With the publication of these books, the grounded theory method gained acceptance and became prominent in social science.
Their books described a researcher using the grounded theory as a neutral observer, with no pre-existing knowledge about the data, who develop theories based on inductive data gathering and systematic analysis.
Learn more about grounded theory in our Practical Guide to Grounded Theory.
The emergence of constructivist grounded theory
Constructivist grounded theory, developed by Charmaz, is an extension of the original grounded theory. However, unlike Glaser and Strauss, Charmaz argued that the researcher isn’t a neutral observer but a co-participant in the study. She also opined that data, research processes, and theories are not discovered but constructed by the researcher and research participants. While the proponents of the earlier theory discourage exploring literature related to the areas of inquiry before data collection, Charmaz encourages investigating the research topic before data collection without forcing the knowledge obtained on the research process.
Constructivist grounded theory process
Below is an overview of the constructivist grounded theory process. Please note that the process is not linear in reality, and some of the stages are iterative. For instance, when new ideas occur, the researcher may have to go back to the field to gather more data to gain a deeper view.
Gathering data
Gathering data is the first step in the CGT approach. It involves getting rich-detailed data to investigate a social process and understand how people handle and react to their situations.
Qualitative Coding
This process involves making sense of the data collected, identifying concepts and similarities, and labeling each bit of data according to what it indicates. Learn more about coding in our Essential Guide to Coding Qualitative Data.
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Analytical memo writing
As the name implies, memo-writing is writing down the ideas generated while the researcher is interacting with the data. The memo provides a detailed account of the researcher’s thoughts and ideas, showing how the researcher takes data apart and analyzes them. Thus, it serves as a way to compare data and explore more ideas. Learn more about analytical memos here.
Theoretical Sampling and Sorting
This process involves collecting additional information to refine and fill categories under development. Refining is often through comparative analysis. In addition, theoretical sampling helps the researcher identify relationships between data, identify gaps, and gain more insight into the unknown. Learn when and how to do the theoretical sampling here.
Re-constructing theory and writing the draft
Here, the researcher constructs a theory by relating the different categories developed in the previous stages. The constructed theory should interpret the data and include vital concepts that emerge from the research. After this, the researcher’s ideas are rendered through writing and edited for style and language.
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Conclusion
Constructivist grounded theory is a methodological approach to qualitative analysis that focuses on generating theories from emerging data rather than pre-existing theoretical frameworks. Researchers use this approach to gain understanding and provide explanations for complex social phenomena with no pre-existing theories.
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References
Charmaz, Kathy (2006). Constructing Grounded Theory: A practical guide through Qualitative Analysis. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Mills, Jane; Bonner, Ann; Francis, Karen (2006). The Development of Constructivist Grounded Theory. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Tie, Ylona; Birks, Melanie; Francis, Karen (2019). Grounded theory research: A design framework for novice researchers. Sage.
Connor, Anne; Carpenter, Barry; Coughlan, Barry (2018). An Exploration of Key Issues in the Debate Between Classic and Constructivist Grounded Theory. Grounded Theory Review.
Ramalho, Rodrigo; Adams, Peter; Huggard, Peter; Hoare, Karen (2015). Literature Review and Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung
