Capturing the essence of grounded theory: the importance of understanding commonalities and variants

Abstract

This paper aims to capture the essence of grounded theory (GT) by setting out its commonalities and variants and, importantly, the implications of the latter for the implementation of the former, and for the truth claims and the contributions to knowledge that a GT study might make. Firstly, three ontological and epistemological variants of GT are outlined. Secondly, the commonalities of GT are set out as eight core elements of GT methodology that are individually necessary, but only sufficient collectively, to define a GT study. These elements are: an iterative process; theoretical sampling; theoretical sensitivity; codes, memos and concepts; constant comparison; theoretical saturation; fit, work, relevance and modifiability; and substantive theory. Thirdly, the implications of the ontological and epistemological variants of GT for, firstly, the implementation of the core common elements of the methodology and, secondly, the truth claims and contributions to knowledge that might be made, are discussed. Finally, the paper concludes by arguing that published GT studies in sport, exercise and health research have not always explicitly demonstrated a full understand of the commonalities and variants of GT, and that researchers publishing GT studies must take responsibility for doing this.

A Grounded Theory of Music-Video Use in an Exercise Facility

“…Corbin and Strauss's (2015) variant of grounded theory, underpinned by pragmatism and symbolic interactionism, was employed as a "total" methodology in this study (Weed, 2017). Such a position directs scholars' attention toward research questions and methodologies that can make the greatest applied impact to the individuals and groups they examine (Corbin & Strauss, 2015;Morgan, 2014).…”

“…Theoretical sampling facilitated this process, wherein participants were selected for phases 2-5 on the basis of concepts that were being refined and developing ideas (see Figure 1). The researchers followed the trail of emerging concepts, by searching for participants who could provide rich information pertaining to such concepts until an adequate level of saturation was reached (Corbin & Strauss, 2015;Weed, 2017). Striving for theoretical saturation ensured congruence between the resultant substantive theory and relevant musicvideo channel-related phenomena (i.e., "fit"; Weed, 2017).…”

“…The researchers followed the trail of emerging concepts, by searching for participants who could provide rich information pertaining to such concepts until an adequate level of saturation was reached (Corbin & Strauss, 2015;Weed, 2017). Striving for theoretical saturation ensured congruence between the resultant substantive theory and relevant musicvideo channel-related phenomena (i.e., "fit"; Weed, 2017). The overall sample consisted of 13 exercisers (6 women, 7 men; M age = 42.7 years, SD = 6.7 years, age range: 25-49 years) as well as two male and two female staff members (M age = 36.8 years, SD = 12.3 years, age range: 28-55 years).…”

“…Reflective diary A review of literature was conducted in order to identify a range of sensitizing concepts that informed the construction of a one-page diary (Clark et al, 2016;Hutchinson et al, 2015). Such concepts have been described as "points of departure" (Holt & Tamminen, 2010a, p. 410), because they represent open-ended ideas to pursue and act as a place to start, rather than end (Weed, 2017). Thirteen exercisers completed a handwritten diary entry over a 4-week period during each occasion they visited the facility and produced a total of 91 diary sheets.…”

“…Researchers, exercisers, and practitioners can use conceptual models (Clark, Baker, & Taylor, 2016) and rating inventories (Karageorghis, 2017) to help guide musical selections, but the same does not apply to the accompanying visual stimuli, owing to a lack of relevant theory. Qualitative research, such as grounded theory, represents an insightful approach when the researcher's aim is to explain a social process in a specific context, upon which a sufficient pre-existing theory has yet to emerge (Corbin & Strauss, 2015;Weed, 2017).…”