You can also rely on observations and log them as field notes or memos, which are considered as a primary source of data.

A primary data source is an original data source. In addition to interviews, you can also collect primary data via field observation in a qualitative study.

Hi, you can use any type of quantitative data e.g. video, images, text, observations, spoken word etc. The most important thing is to approach the analysis without any preconceptions.

In general, interview is suitable tools but you can use also long period observation or the story telling.

I'm of the opinion that you can use any method of data collection for a GT study, albeit, interview is a common method; therefore, what method(s) of data collection you might use as most appropriate, depends on the purpose of your study---as it does in all research.

Your study focuses on "..entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial process.."; therefore, ask yourself what method of data collection will enable you to find out what you want to know about this process.

Indeed, ask yourself if GT is most appropriate for this study.

Grounded theory has different versions i.e. Glaser's Classic GT, Straussian version and Constructivist GT of Kathay Charmaz. Each has somewhat different assumptions about data and its analysis so you need to decide which version you are going to use. I encourage you to read before making choice specially the following paper:

Kenny, M., & Fourie, R. (2015). Contrasting classic, Straussian, and constructivist Grounded Theory: Methodological and philosophical conflicts. The Qualitative Report, 20(8), 1270-1289.

However, there is no restriction on particular data collection method and you can use almost any kind of data collection methods. In line with Philip Adams, the important issue is to reflect on your research objective/questions first and see is it necessary to have discussion with participants? Will interviews data capture the actions and process you intend to investigate? Depending on the question in your case, I believe interviews can reveal important information on actions and processes related to entrepreneurs, having in-depth conversation with them will be necessary.

Hence GT research is generally concerned with generating substantive theory from data grounded in lived experiences of the people living the phenomena, interview is widely used method of data collection. However, alternative data (if available and possible to collect) should also be considered for triangulation. This will increase readers' confidence in your findings. Further, GT distinguishing features such as theoretical sampling and constant comparison etc. can be relatively easily implemented using interviews than other data collection techniques. Hope this was helpful.

Hi Nate,

Maybe this link will be useful:

https://books.google.com/books?id=bOLFDQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=creswell+qualitative&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJ5tO93tfcAhVFeawKHaWFARAQuwUINDAB#v=onepage&q=creswell%20qualitative&f=false

Have a great day!

--Adrian

The empirical work done by Glaser and Strauss, which served as the basis for Discovery of Grounded Theory, was all based on fieldwork using participant observation. See their books: Time for Dying and Awareness of Dying.

interview is one of the good data collection method for primary data collection in qualitative data. It is more suitable for collecting data from professionals. This is not suitable to collect data from ordinary people. Because time lost will be there when we collect data from an ordinary person. If the data provider is a single person this interview is OK. There is an another method for collecting data from a group ( more than five person at a time ) is called Focus group discussion ( FGD ) . This is also suit for collecting data from ordinary people also. Observations also good for qualitative data collection. This all methods for primary qualitative data collection.

Nate Boyer , Interviews are not neccessarily the only source of data. Qualitative data could be sought in different forms which include interviews, focus group discussions, and observations . Again you have to be sure if grounded theory approach is the most appropriate for your research. Most importantly, you need to read widely to understand the various approaches available and how each fits into your nature of research.

Grounded theory is developed based observation and we can make a observation sheet based steps of grounded theory which will serve foundation for content analysis

I too am using grounded theory and have used Focus groups as part of my data collection.

Grounded theory is qualitative in nature. Hence, you can use any or a combination of the qualitative data collection instruments such as observation (participant/non participant), focus group dicussion and interviews.

As primary sources of interest should also be mentioned, documents written by entrepreneurs during their daily activity doing business, but also planning documents prepared by them when preparing their projects. It is also interesting the correspondence they produce to achieve their objectives.

It seems sensible to me to say that the documents should also be included in the list of primary sources that should be taken into account within the grounded theory.

In addition to all the above valuable comments/contributions, the following papers may further help, namely: the data for grounded theory can come from various sources/collection procedures, for examples, interviews, observations, documents, etc., anything (collect data in whatever form appropriate) that may help explain/elicit information in relation to the questions/situation under study…..(see: Corbin and Strauss, 1990; Suddaby, 2006; Goulding, 1999).

• Corbin, J. and Strauss, A. (1990) Grounded theory research: procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria, Qualitative Sociology, 13, 1, pp. 3-21.
• Evans, G. L. (2013) A novice researcher's first walk through the maze of grounded theory, Grounded Theory Review, 12, 1, pp. 37-55.
• Goulding, C. (1999) Grounded Theory: some reflections on paradigm, procedures and misconceptions. Working Paper Series No. WP006/99, UK: Management Research Centre, Wolverhampton Business School.
• Suddaby, R. (2006) From The Editors: What Grounded Theory Is Not, Academy of Management Journal, 49, 4, pp. 633-642.
• Timonen, V., Foley, G. and Conlon, C. (2018) Challenges When Using Grounded Theory: A Pragmatic Introduction to Doing GT Research, International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17, 7, pp. 1-10.

Thank you all for your posts...this is helpful for my DR, as am also working on Qualitative "Case" Study

My response is a question: Why do you believe that Grounded Theory is the appropriate approach to dealing with your "research problem"? In my view, grounded theory is an appropriate technique when little is known about your phenomenon of interest. I suggest that there will be research about entrepreneurship in the behavioural sciences literature, so I guess it's for you to ascertain whether or not your research has a theoretical basis in such literature.