I am going to conduct ethnographic research. I have planned to use Grounded Theory as a theoretical framework. What are your suggestions on this study?
There is some confusion in your question. Grounded theory is a method that we rarely use when we need to build a theory from sources; thus, no previous theory was available. Ethnographic research is a very diverse field related to investigating human cultures. There are also ethnographic methods on the techniques to assemble information for ethnographic or anthropological research. Therefore, the connection between grounded theory and ethnographic research does not really exist.
Thank you for you answer. First, I want to collect data, analyse it and make themes that will provide me theoretical sampling to interview the next step. Then, methodologically, I will employ ethnography. The essence is that there is no specific theory leading my ethnography so far but it will come from the data (Grounded theory).
Zakarie Abdi Bade Hello !
Yes, Grounded can be used for your Ethnographic work. We refer to Grounded theory to generate three types of knowledge: theoretical, empirical or methodological. In addition, it is used to explore areas where little is known or where new understanding would be gained. The answers given by Michael Uebel are very important to be considered. Thanks.
I think a lot depends on what you mean by "ethnographic" research. For an anthropologist, that term means that you are engaging with culture as a key feature throughout your work, but the situation is rather different if you are thinking of it as simply involving what a sociologist would call participant observation.
In particular, all of the early work that Glaser and Strauss did was based on participant observation, so that was the foundation for what they wrote in Discovery of Grounded Theory. You can find much of this work in the book, Time for Dying, which includes a methodological appendix.
@David Morgan, thanks for your reply. I am going to do my study for PhD sociology thesis.
@David Morgan, thanks for your reply. I am going to do my study for PhD sociology thesis.
Over the past 20 plus years, there has been a shift toward interviewing rather than participant observation for qualitative research in general as well as for grounded theory studies. But it is important to realize that Glaser & Strauss developed grounded theory through participant observation.
Once you think about it, this makes a lot sense for several of the things that you do in GT, such as generating coding after each observation session, along with writing memos as your observations progress. Most of the examples you see currently apply open or initial coding to interviews, but this is just as reasonable for working with field notes.
Based on my own experience, I would recommend separating the writing of purely descriptive field notes from the more interpretive coding of them. Your word processor should give you several creative options for doing this. For example, with Microsoft Word you could enter the codes as "Comments" using its Mark-Up and Review feature.
Hi Zakarie Abdi Bade that's important question. I'm using GT selectively rather than employ as it is. I'm using GT's rules of data collection (theoretical sampling, constant comparative method) and analyzes (coding procedures, theorizing) but with less attention to seek for a core category.
Best
piotr
Piotr Chomczyński As far as I know, only Glaser requires a core category. I believe it is optional in other approaches, although you should take a look at Charmaz (2014) to be sure.
David L Morgan Yes, indeed. Charmaz's approach is more useful for me. Thank you!
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