Mapping the Process: An Exemplar of Process and Challenge in Grounded Theory Analysis

Abstract

This article responds to recent calls for greater clarity and transparency regarding methods in qualitative research. On the basis of a 3-year ethnographic study of the overrepresentation of minorities in special education, the authors address key tenets of grounded theory and attempt to reconcile some of the methodological challenges inherent in naturalistic inquiry. They discuss theoretical considerations and use a visual model to illustrate how they applied grounded theory to this complex and sensitive topic. Emphasizing the social nature of decision making in special education, the authors point to the appropriateness of qualitative methods to the investigation of such issues.

Forensic psychologists’ perceptions of bias and potential correction strategies in forensic mental health evaluations.

“…The first justification safeguard was integrating the ratings from two independent raters at each stage of the process; they discussed and clarified disagreements and reached consensus before moving on to the next step (see e.g., Auerbach & Silverstein, 2003;Harry et al, 2005). No numerical reliability rating was calculated, because the goal in this qualitative analysis was consensus (see e.g., Harry et al, 2005).…”

“…To accomplish the first step (to organize repeating ideas), the coders independently organized the relevant text into as many repeating idea categories as necessary to fit all the data. Each data point was "constantly compared" with other data points and categories throughout the initial coding process to ensure that the data under each category "belonged together" (Glaser & Strauss, 1967;Harry, Sturges, & Klingner, 2005). To complete this task, the coders started with the raw data and developed categories for each unique construct in the data, copying and pasting raw quotes that "fit" under each category, and moving back and forth among the data and the categories, continuing to edit and compare them to one another to decide which belonged together.…”

Understanding how sporting characteristics and behaviours influence destination selection: a grounded theory study of golf tourism

“…Two participants (Steven and Debbie) were interviewed both at the beginning and the end of the research process to scrutinise the theoretical concepts developed as theory. As well as enhancing the quality of the theory constructed this processes of 'member checking' adds transparency to the analytical process (Harry, Sturges, & Klingner, 2005). The individual in-depth semi-structured interviews ranged in duration between 30 and 90 minutes.…”

The MESA Study

“…This was accomplished by looking at the transcribed recordings and notes that were taken during each interview session. Individual researchers reviewed collected responses and gradually went from coding to categories and eventually theory building, which led to the development of activity components (Harry, Sturges, & Klingner, 2005). Using the research question as a guiding framework, frequency counts were used to determine themes that were recurrent in order to identify emergent themes.…”