scholarly journals Using Grounded Theory Method in Information Systems: The Researcher as Blank Slate and Other Myths

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Urquhart ◽  
Walter Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
General Level ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Theory Method ◽  
Grounded Theory Research ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
Novice Users ◽  
Blank Slate ◽  
Theory Research

The use of grounded theory method (GTM) as a research method in information systems (IS) has gradually increased over the years as qualitative research in general has become more prevalent. The method offers a systematic way to generate theory from data, but is rarely used to its full potential in IS as a number of myths and misunderstandings about GTM prevent researchers from getting the full potential out of the method. To address this problem, we advance the general level of knowledge of GTM. We clarify aspects of the method that are often misunderstood by novice users or casual observers and provide guidance to address common problems. Exemplars from the IS literature are used to illustrate the concepts and to promote the informed use of the methodology. By doing so, this paper will contribute to improving the use of the method and to the quality and dissemination of grounded theory research outcomes.

scholarly journals Multidimensional Property Supplementation: A Method for Discovering and Describing Emergent Qualities of Concepts in Grounded Theory Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-200
Author(s):  
Linus Johnsson
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Iterative Process ◽  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Theory Method ◽  
Grounded Theory Research ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
And Function ◽  
Theory Research

Multidimensional property supplementation is a grounded theory method for analysis that conceives of concepts as multidimensional spaces of possibilities. It is applied in an iterative process comprising four steps: expansion, whereby vague codes are split and contraries postulated; abstraction of practically significant differences in terms of properties and dimensions; geometrization of properties to create conceptual subspaces that supplant subcategories and have additional, emergent qualities; and unification of the concept by validating it against data and relieving it of properties that do not tie in sufficiently with other concepts. Multidimensional conceptual models encourage the researcher to elaborate properties that explain, predict, or guide action. Fully developed, they can be easily connected to others in a process and function, by virtue of their emergent qualities, as falsifiable hypotheses in their own right. For these reasons, multidimensional property supplementation is open to epistemological justification without presuming acceptance of techniques specific to grounded theory.

scholarly journals Leadership in an Australian Context: Highlighting a Qualitative Investigation with Construct Validity Support

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nezar Faris
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Lower Order ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Grounded Theory Research ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
Theoretical Sampling ◽  
Theory Research

This paper highlights how criteria for validity that are usually utilized within quantitative research can be used to provide further validation to fully qualitative research. In this case, the qualitative research utilizes the grounded theory method. This research used the grounded theory to investigate leadership processes in the substantive setting of the Islamic organizations in Australia. The qualitative analysis of qualitative data generated a number of categories that were conceptually unique. Theoretical sampling directed the researcher toward data sources that provided further conceptual uniqueness. The similarity between some of these newly-generated categories and lower-order categories gave cause to claim convergent validity for the findings. Also, the contrast between other newly-generated categories and some lower-order categories gave cause to celebrate discriminant validity. The significant contribution in this paper is bringing convergent validity and discriminant validity to grounded theory research.

scholarly journals Application Of Grounded Theory Method In Information Systems Research: Methodological And Practical Issues

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohanad Halaweh
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Theory Method ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research ◽  
Theoretical Sampling ◽  
Oriented Research

This paper argues that the grounded theory method (GTM) is a positivist-oriented research method from a methodological standpoint. It argues that following the systematic procedures, principles, and mechanism of conducting the research and creating knowledge and theories, and the unavoidable influence of the literature, places GTM under the umbrella of the positivist paradigm. It also sheds some light on practical issues that information systems (IS) researchers face when applying GTM such as applying theoretical sampling and coding in GTM, concerns of presenting GTM data, and the politics of applying GTM. These issues, which are methodological in nature, and their implications will also be discussed.

Doing Classic Grounded Theory Research in Information Systems

2017 ◽  
pp. 284-305
Author(s):  
Titus Tossy ◽  
Irwin T.J. Brown ◽  
Andy Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Is Research ◽  
Grounded Theory Research ◽  
Classic Grounded Theory ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Theory Research

Grounded Theory (GT) is a latent pattern recognition research method that was developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss (1967). GT, which can use either quantitative or qualitative data, is a general research methodology and it produces empirically grounded but modifiable theory. Since the development of GT in 1967, some researchers have attempted to modify the original GT method, and remodelled GT approaches have been widely used in Information Systems (IS) research, often with unfortunate results due to disregard of the basic rules of the original GT. The continued use of remodelled GT methods has caused confusion and has prevented those in the IS research community from stimulating the development of new theory, which is the main benefit of using GT as it was originally outlined. Following publication of the original grounded theory by Glaser and Strauss (1967), Glaser (1978) went on to explain in detail how to operationalize the GT method. Despite this, some researchers mistakenly continued to classify GT as a subset of the qualitative data analysis research methodology. In doing so, they reveal that they have misunderstood both the purpose of GT and how to use it correctly. In this paper the author will concentrate on the authentic approach to GT, which is termed “Classic Ground Theory” (CGT), so as to differentiate it from any misconceived remodelled version of the theory. This paper explains how CGT can be carried out in an IS context by trusting in the emergence from the data of the required information, rather than forcing it.

A Set of Principles for Doing and Evaluating Classic Grounded Theory Research in Information Systems

2017 ◽  
pp. 102-124
Author(s):  
Andy Lowe ◽  
Titus Tossy
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Grounded Theory Research ◽  
Classic Grounded Theory ◽  
False Assumption ◽  
Theory Research

Grounded Theory (GT) is a latent pattern recognition research method discovered by Glaser and Strauss (1967). Due to GTs power and transcendence many research papers across several academic disciplines including Information Systems claimed to have used GT when in fact they have used pseudo GT methods. It is argued in this paper that any other research method which adopts the GT label without following orthodoxy of the authentic GT research method should not be called GT. All of the pseudo GT methods make the false assumption that GT is a sub set of Qualitative Data Analysis. This is a false assumption because authentic GT can use either quantitative or qualitative data and it is a general research methodology and produces empirically grounded but modifiable propositions. Within the Information Systems (IS) research community it is therefore not surprising that many, who claim to use GT, have used different types of pseudo GT. They have adopted vocabulary of the GT without following its original tenets. This paper explains how authentic GT can be carried out in an information systems context by trusting in emergence rather than forcing the data.

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