International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Grounded theory, the way to analyse qualitative data: A comprehensive review of literature
Evans Magaisa1, Tasvika Moyo2, Engelbert Chamunorwa Wilson3, George Shava4
1Department of Construction Economics and Management, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
2Zimbabwe Republic Police Bulawayo Professional Updating Centre
3Zimbabwe Republic Police SARPCCO Centre of Excellence, Harare.
4Department of Technical and Engineering Education and Training, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
I. INTRODUCTION
Grounded theory is a research approach in which data collection and analysis inform each other to construct theories of the phenomenon under study, and they take place simultaneously (Thornberg & Charmaz, 2014: 153). It is the systematic discovery of theory from data that is obtained during the social research process. Grounded theory is an aim towards conceptual thinking and theory building rather than empirical testing of a theory (Khan, 2014: 224).Grounded theory is a methodology for developing theory that is grounded in data, which is systematically gathered and analysed (Noble & Mitchell, 2016: 1). Since its inception in 1967, grounded theory has become a popular choice among researchers contemplating qualitative data approaches amongst a variety of subject backgrounds (Yu & Smith, 2021: 553). Corbin (2016: 51)notes that grounded theory is a method that rejects a dogmatic and rigid approach to doing research, but rather embraces taking the role of the other, giving voice to participants and the researcher shaping the research accordingly. Therefore, the researcher formulates new questions as the research evolves, chooses among a variety of data sources and even changes the direction of the research midway as the situation demands. Researchers therefore enter in to an investigation with an open mind ready to hear what the participants are saying. The questions that emerge from the analysis will guide the next steps in data collection and analysis.
When to use grounded theory research
Grounded theory is a qualitative approach that is used when accounts of the phenomena under investigation are not likely to provide a holistic picture of the process and outcomes (Nel & Govender, 2018: 6). Therefore, at the onset, the researcher does not have research questions or hypotheses. This may be because theories that exist are either poorly described or do not exist at all. The researcher will only be too sure of what the research is all about after collection and analysis of data. After analysing data, a core category and related concepts emerge.