Grounded Theory — Previous Year Questions

📊 Topic Overview

Metric	Value
Papers Appeared	16 of 28 (57.1%)
Priority	🔴 HIGH — joint most-repeated topic
Section Distribution	Sec A: 10
Most Repeated	Goals, steps and coding in grounded theory (12 times)
Probability	Extremely High

🎯 Must-Know Concepts

1. Definition and goals of grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss; Strauss and Corbin)
2. Steps in conducting grounded theory research
3. Three types of coding: open, axial, selective
4. Theoretical sampling and constant comparison
5. Relevance and criticism of grounded theory

🔥 Most Repeated Question: Goals, Steps and Coding in Grounded Theory (12 appearances)

Answer (Section A — ~450 words):

Grounded theory is a systematic qualitative research methodology for developing theory that is inductively derived from the study of the phenomenon it represents. Introduced by Glaser and Strauss (1967) in "The Discovery of Grounded Theory", it was a radical departure from the then-dominant hypothesis-verification approach — proposing that theory should emerge from data rather than being imposed upon it.

Goals of Grounded Theory: The primary goal is to generate substantive theory — mid-range theory that explains a specific phenomenon in a specific context. Unlike grand theory (which is too abstract to test) or empirical generalisations (which lack theoretical integration), grounded theory aims for theory that is grounded in, integrated with, and relevant to the data from which it emerged. Secondary goals include conceptual density (multiple categories, properties, and dimensions), fit (the theory fits the data), relevance (addresses the core concern of the participants), and modifiability (can be updated with new data).

Steps in Grounded Theory Research:

1. Selecting the research area: Identify a broad topic of interest; avoid a fully specified hypothesis at the outset.
2. Data collection: Begin with open-ended interviews, observations, or documents. Data collection and analysis proceed simultaneously.
3. Open coding: Line-by-line analysis of data. Every incident, idea, and event is named and categorised. Produces concepts and their properties and dimensions.
4. Axial coding: Reassembling data after open coding. Identifies relationships between categories using the paradigm model: conditions → phenomenon → context → intervening conditions → action/strategies → consequences.
5. Selective coding: Identifying the core category — the central phenomenon around which all other categories integrate. The analyst writes a storyline connecting all categories.
6. Theoretical sampling: Sampling decisions are driven by emerging theory — the researcher samples wherever they need data to develop theoretical categories further, not for statistical representativeness.
7. Constant comparative method: Incidents, concepts, and categories are continuously compared across data sources to refine theoretical properties.
8. Saturation: Data collection stops when new data no longer generates new theoretical categories — theoretical saturation.
9. Theory development: The final product is a substantive theory, often represented as a theoretical model or framework.

Three Types of Coding: Open coding: Breaking down, examining, and conceptualising data. Every incident is named. Produces conceptual labels and categories with properties (characteristics) and dimensions (range). Axial coding: Reassembling data along axes of categories. Establishes causal conditions, context, intervening conditions, action strategies, and consequences. Selective coding: Integration around the core category. Validates relationships between categories and fills in gaps.

Relevance and Criticism: Grounded theory is particularly valuable in areas where little prior theory exists. It has been widely applied in nursing, education, and psychology. Critics note that truly inductive theory generation is impossible (researchers always bring prior knowledge) and that the coding procedures can become mechanical.

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📝 Other Key Questions

Theoretical sampling and constant comparison method (Section B — ~250 words)

Theoretical Sampling is the process of data collection for generating theory whereby the analyst jointly collects, codes, and analyses data and decides what data to collect next and where to find them, in order to develop the emerging theory. It differs from purposive sampling (which is planned before data collection begins) — in theoretical sampling, decisions about who to interview or what to observe next are driven by the categories and gaps identified in previous analysis.

Constant Comparative Method involves simultaneously coding and analysing data in order to develop theory. Four stages:

1. Comparing incidents applicable to each category: Every new incident is compared to previous incidents in the same category to identify similarities and differences, refining the category's properties.
2. Integrating categories and their properties: As the analysis matures, the focus shifts from comparing incidents to comparing categories — identifying how they relate.
3. Delimiting the theory: The theory solidifies; fewer new modifications are required as saturation approaches.
4. Writing the theory: The analyst writes theoretical memos and eventually a theoretical account that integrates all categories.

Together, theoretical sampling and constant comparison ensure that grounded theory is genuinely emergent from and anchored in the data.

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🧠 Memory Aids

Coding Types (OAS): Open → Axial → Selective

GT Steps (SDOASTCTS): Select area → Data collection → Open coding → Axial → Selective → Theoretical sampling → Constant comparison → Theoretical saturation → Theory

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📚 Related Content

• Grounded Theory — Foundations
• Grounded Theory — Methods and Steps
• Grounded Theory — Coding Types

✅ Self-Assessment

1. What are the three types of coding in grounded theory and what does each involve?
2. How does theoretical sampling differ from purposive sampling?
3. What is the constant comparative method and what are its stages?
4. What is theoretical saturation and when is it achieved?
5. What criticism is levelled at grounded theory's claim to be purely inductive?

💡 Exam Tips

• Section A: Goals → Steps (all 9) → Coding types (define each) → Conclusion.
• The three coding types (open, axial, selective) with brief definitions are a guaranteed mark-earner.
• Theoretical sampling and constant comparison are frequently asked as separate Section B questions — prepare them independently.