Grounded Theory in Action
Voices from the Field
Will be published approx. on 28. January 2026
Book
Hardback
190 pages
978-1-0353-2190-2 (ISBN)
Description
This accessible book provides comprehensive guidance on how to turn empirical observations into clear, useful explanations through use of the grounded theory method. Seasoned researchers share their field experience to show how they planned studies, gained access, collected data and connected the elements to formulate an argument.
Chapters address each stage of the grounded theory process, such as winning ethics approval, choosing software, open coding and memo-writing, as well as drawing diagrams and presenting results. The book prepares the reader for drawbacks, demonstrating how to conduct grounded theory research in a way that is rigorous and flexible. It pairs a structural framework with real-life stories, indicating how to keep projects on track. Expert contributors explore research methods spanning constructivist, Straussian and pragmatic grounded theory styles, equipping researchers with directly applicable memo templates, coding prompts and theoretical-sampling checklists.
Grounded Theory in Action is an essential resource for scholars and students in the applied social sciences, sociology, psychology, linguistics, politics and public policy. Practitioners in research, clinical educators and research methods instructors will also benefit from its invaluable insights.
Chapters address each stage of the grounded theory process, such as winning ethics approval, choosing software, open coding and memo-writing, as well as drawing diagrams and presenting results. The book prepares the reader for drawbacks, demonstrating how to conduct grounded theory research in a way that is rigorous and flexible. It pairs a structural framework with real-life stories, indicating how to keep projects on track. Expert contributors explore research methods spanning constructivist, Straussian and pragmatic grounded theory styles, equipping researchers with directly applicable memo templates, coding prompts and theoretical-sampling checklists.
Grounded Theory in Action is an essential resource for scholars and students in the applied social sciences, sociology, psychology, linguistics, politics and public policy. Practitioners in research, clinical educators and research methods instructors will also benefit from its invaluable insights.
Reviews / Votes
'The brilliance of Grounded Theory in Action is its curation. Hadley and Bryant offer flexible waypoints for novice and experienced grounded theorists. Readers might head to the chapter on a common challenge, say, theoretical coding, and then discover a chapter with just-in-time insights they might not have known they needed.' -- Vivian B. Martin, Central Connecticut State University, USA 'Grounded theory provides a clearcut way of working with qualitative data. Too often, however, the term has been used without proper understanding or as a smokescreen for poor research. Hadley and Bryant's book offers a masterclass in the nuts and bolts of grounded theory written by expert users.' -- David Silverman, Emeritus, Leeds University Business School, UK, and University of Technology Sydney, AustraliaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-2190-2 (9781035321902)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Persons
Edited by Gregory Hadley, Professor of Sociolinguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Niigata University, Japan and Antony Bryant, Professor of Informatics, School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, Leeds Beckett University, UK and Chief Researcher, The Education Academy, Institute of Educational Research, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
Content
Contents
Beginning your grounded theory 1
PART I PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
1 Ethical review and gaining access 11
Wayne A. Babchuk and Louise I. Lynch-O'Brien
2 CAQDAS and the grounded theory method 23
Susanne Friese and Erika Unterpertinger
PART II EARLY STAGES
3 Conducting fieldwork 37
Robert Thornberg, Paul Horton and Camilla Forsberg
4 Conducting interviews 48
Hilary Engward, Nieky van Veggel and Janet Allison
5 Open coding qualitative data: an essential first step in grounded theory analysis 60
Ashna Mahmood Zada and Cathy Urquhart
6 Using quantitative data in grounded theory methodology 69
Alyssia M. Miller De Rutte
7 Early memo writing in grounded theory studies 80
Jovina Concepcion Bachynski and Idevania G. Costa
PART III ANALYTIC STAGES
8 Doing focused coding 92
Alexandra Long
9 Creating categories 103
Elaine Keane
10 Writing advanced memos 114
Maria J. Grant
11 Theoretical coding 124
Barry Gibson and Christian Morgner
PART IV COMMUNICATING GROUNDED THEORY
12 Visualizing grounded theory 135
Alecia M. Redway
13 Presenting grounded theories in public 147
Roy Kemm
14 Writing grounded theory reports 158
Kimberlea Cooper
Beginning your grounded theory 1
PART I PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
1 Ethical review and gaining access 11
Wayne A. Babchuk and Louise I. Lynch-O'Brien
2 CAQDAS and the grounded theory method 23
Susanne Friese and Erika Unterpertinger
PART II EARLY STAGES
3 Conducting fieldwork 37
Robert Thornberg, Paul Horton and Camilla Forsberg
4 Conducting interviews 48
Hilary Engward, Nieky van Veggel and Janet Allison
5 Open coding qualitative data: an essential first step in grounded theory analysis 60
Ashna Mahmood Zada and Cathy Urquhart
6 Using quantitative data in grounded theory methodology 69
Alyssia M. Miller De Rutte
7 Early memo writing in grounded theory studies 80
Jovina Concepcion Bachynski and Idevania G. Costa
PART III ANALYTIC STAGES
8 Doing focused coding 92
Alexandra Long
9 Creating categories 103
Elaine Keane
10 Writing advanced memos 114
Maria J. Grant
11 Theoretical coding 124
Barry Gibson and Christian Morgner
PART IV COMMUNICATING GROUNDED THEORY
12 Visualizing grounded theory 135
Alecia M. Redway
13 Presenting grounded theories in public 147
Roy Kemm
14 Writing grounded theory reports 158
Kimberlea Cooper