Background Diabetes education has been found to impact positively on self-management by people with diabetes although little is known about the process by which they assimilate information. The aim of this study was to generate a theory explaining the process by which people with diabetes learn about their disease in Indonesia. Methods This study employed a grounded theory methodology influenced by constructivism and symbolic interactionism. A total of twenty-eight face-to-face or telephone interviews with participants from Indonesia that included people with diabetes, healthcare professionals, health service providers and families of people with diabetes were conducted in both Indonesia and Australia. Results This study discloses a core category of Learning , choosing , and acting : self-management of diabetes in Indonesia as the basic social process of how people learn about their diabetes. The process includes five distinctive major categories. People with diabetes acted after they had received recommendations that they considered to be trustworthy. Factors that influenced their choice of recommendations to adopt are also identified. Conclusions Awareness of the complexity involved in their decision making will assist healthcare professionals to engage effectively with people living with diabetes.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the practical use of theoretical sampling as a method for selecting data that provide a richer and deeper understanding of the phenomenon being investigated. Design/methodology/approach Theoretical sampling is a well-known method in grounded theory studies to seek additional data based on concepts developed from initial data analysis. This method involves following where the data have led to expand and refine the evolving theory during the analytical process. However, there is a dearth of information detailing the practical steps needed to undertake theoretical sampling. Findings The authors used the theoretical sampling method in their study in four ways: asking additional interview questions and/or widening the scope of existing interview questions; recruiting participants with additional diversity of attributes within the same group; and adding a new group of participants and expanding research settings. Originality/value Theoretical sampling is a valuable and practical method for the purpose of addressing gaps in the data in qualitative research. When using theoretical sampling, it is essential to consider potential strategies for countering challenges that may arise. Practical recommendations are offered on the use of theoretical sampling during data analysis, for the purpose of achieving theoretical integration.

Dealing with a large amount of qualitative data during the analytical process can be challenging especially when the data needs to be regularly discussed with other research team members. For researchers employing grounded theory methodology and methods, using visual tools such as concept maps or diagrams can be a beneficial approach at all phases of the research. Concept maps can assist researchers to visualize emerging concepts from raw data, efficiently communicate the developing theory under construction and demonstrate progress in the analytical thinking process. However, despite the usefulness of concept mapping, there is limited and detailed information on the use of concept mapping to guide novice researchers. This research presents the distinctive experiences of the authors in utilizing concept mapping to facilitate the analytical process of theory generation they undertook when conducting a grounded theory study examining diabetes health education in an Indonesian context. It is recommended that researchers consider the flexibility and efficacy of concept mapping as a tool to assist them with the process of data analysis in qualitative research.