Analysis & Grounded Theory

Question 1

In qualitative research, when does data analysis take place?

Answer 1

• During data collection
• After data collection

Question 2

In qualitative research, why analyse data during data collection, rather than only after?

Answer 2

To determine when you have reached theoretical saturation

Question 3

What characterises data saturation?

Answer 3

New questions and data don’t add value to your answers
- no new theoretical insights

Question 4

What is grounded theory?

Answer 4

A way of generating theory with bottom-up approach
- inductive

Question 5

Which approach to theory building corresponds to grounded theory?

Answer 5

Inductive approach
(bottom-up)

Question 6

Who first developed the concept of grounded theory?

Answer 6

Glaser and Strauss (1967)

Question 7

What are the methodological components of grounded theory research?

Answer 7

• Theoretical sampling
• Coding
• Comparison
• Theoretical (data) saturation

Question 8

What is the methodological process of Cramer (2016) in her research on ‘The Politics of Resentment’?

Answer 8

1. Observations
2. Open coding
   - in transcripts, look for evidence of categories and frames
3. Focused coding, categorizing
4. Redefine focus
   - “evidence I would need to see in order to validate my conclusions”

-> new observations

Question 9

How does Cramer (2016) analyse her data during data collection?

Answer 9

• Open and focused coding
• Categorising
• she creates spreadsheet with different characteristics of conversations
• “I write memos to myself about the patterns I am observing”

Question 10

What does theoretical sampling in grounded theory consist of?

Answer 10

Find people that can answer your questions
-> purposive sampling

• selecting sample based on preliminary analysis or change focus

Question 11

What is the benefit of using convenience (opportunistic) sampling?

Answer 11

• Takes into account feasibility of the research
• Acknowledges the implicated biases

Question 12

What makes grounded theory an iterative process?

Answer 12

It’s an ongoing process between analysis and data collection

Question 13

What is the methodological process of qualitative research using grounded theory?

Answer 13

1. Research questions
2. Data collection
3. Coding / data analysis
4. Theoretical sampling
5. New data collection
6. New Coding / data analysis
7. Theoretical / data saturation
8. Theory building

Question 14

What are the types of coding?

Answer 14

• Open / initial coding
• Focused / axial coding
• Selective coding

Question 15

Which questions are you trying to answer with your data in theory building?

Answer 15

1. What is going on here? (events)
2. What are people doing? (activities)
3. How they do it? (practices)
4. How does this relate to other instances and actions?
5. How do they talk about these instances?
6. What can we learn from this?

Question 16

How do you define your data encoding categories?

Answer 16

• List of themes and associated codes
• Relevant pieces of data put together with selected topics
• Based on literature and what you find in the field

-> Inductive process
(give priority to what comes in the field)