Report R5.15 Doing Research From the Grounded Theory Perspective Seminar Leader: Somendra Pant, Clarkson University School of Business, USA pants[at]clarkson.edu One of the key aims of the Research Training Seminar (RTS) series is to initiate doctoral scholars to different forms of research. This helps the scholar develop an appreciation for differences within research. The last seminar of the academic year drew our attention to the “grounded theory” perspective in management research. Pant’s recent work on the process of information management in supply-chains adopts the grounded theory perspective. Since his work is still in process and the results are only provisional, Pant shared his concern regarding making his work available in the public domain now. Therefore, it was agreed to restrict this report to the generic issues of doing research from the grounded theory perspective. Grounded theory refers to the process (and outcome) of developing patterns of conceptualisation from field-data, refining the results through continuous comparison with any new data being collected. In this perspective on social research, the theoretical concepts are supposed to be thoroughly grounded in the field context--rather than, say, any preexisting concept (or model) (Glaser, 2002). The main feature of grounded theory is the development of new conceptualisation through the collection and analysis of data around a phenomenon. Various data-collection techniques can be used, particularly interview and observation. A key feature of grounded theory is the simultaneous collection and analysis of data using a process known as “constant comparative analysis” (Hancock, 1998). Broadly speaking, in any research perspective, theory development takes into account empirical data. How then is grounded theory different from other research perspectives? A key difference may be in the attitude towards preexisting concepts (or models) that the grounded perspective brings to research. Due to the mistrust towards any prior conceptualisation, research based on grounded theory proceeds from the raw data and the fresh conceptualisations that emerge from the data. In other words, the grounded perspective seeks to prevent any potential domination of ideas not grounded in the experienced realities of the actors in specific social settings. Grounded theory is based on two key research processes: "constant comparison," in which data are collected and analysed simultaneously, and "theoretical sampling," in which the decision about which data should be collected next is determined by the emergent concept/theory. Grounded theory provides a research approach that is more appropriate for some questions than others. It is most suited to efforts to understand the process by which actors construct meaning out of intersubjective experience. It is important for a researcher to be aware of the common misconceptions surrounding grounded theory. Suddaby (2006) identifies six common misconceptions that should be avoided. (a) Grounded theory is not an excuse to ignore the literature. It is desirable and usually necessary to do a literature survey of existing theories so as to get the initial idea and direction. (b) Grounded theory is not a presentation of raw data. Grounded theory emphasises on theoretical abstractions arising from subjective experiences. (c) Grounded theory is not theory testing, content analysis, or word counts. The purpose of grounded theory is to elicit fresh understandings about patterned relationships between social actors and how these relationships and interactions actively construct reality. The key variables of interest are internal and subjective in nature. (d) Grounded theory is not simply routine application of formulaic technique to data. Grounded theory is an interpretive process, in which the researcher is an active element and the act of research has a creative component that cannot be delegated to any formulaic technique. The researcher has to focus on where to collect the next iteration of data and, more importantly, what meaning ought to be ascribed to the data collected. (e) Grounded theory is not perfect. Grounded theory is inherently messy in nature and requires a researcher to develop a tacit understanding of the findings. The research usually has a large number of iterations with no clear discrete boundary between data collection and analysis. (f) Grounded theory is not easy. Grounded research depends upon the sensitivity of a researcher to tacit elements of the data or meanings and connotations that may not be apparent from a mere superficial reading. A researcher requires a lot of intuitive skills and pattern perceiving abilities to develop a theory from observations. Pant’s current work on information management in supply-chains is designed to answer questions relating to the subjective experience of the members of a supply chain, while linking it to their collective performance as an interorganisational system. According to him, the research literature in this area is not adequate to answers the questions relevant to his research. The situation calls for fresh conceptualisations and, thus, lends itself to grounded research. The research is expected to offer new theoretical perspectives, which may have to be tested subsequently for their general applicability. Reference Glaser, B. (2002). Conceptualization: On theory and theorizing using grounded theory. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 1(2). Article 3. Retrieved March 10, 2008, from http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/1_2Final/pdf/glaser.pdf Hancock, B. (1998, updated 2002). Trent focus for research and development in primary health care: An introduction to qualitative research. Trent Focus Group, UK. Suddaby, R. (2006). From the editors: What grounded theory is not. Academy of Management Journal, 49(4), 633–642.
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