O1: Applied Grounded Theory

The Applied Grounded Theory course equips participants with practical skills for conducting inductive qualitative research. All exercises are based on participants’ own research projects, and course examples are drawn directly from their ongoing work. Designed as a hands-on course, it requires sustained engagement with individual research material throughout the course.

Grounded Theory (GT) is a qualitative methodology for generating theory inductively from empirical data. Originating in the work of Glaser and Strauss, GT is especially well suited to examining processes, interactions, relationships, and change over time, particularly in research areas where existing theories are limited. Through constant comparison and iterative cycles of data collection and analysis, GT offers a rigorous and systematic approach to theory building.

Central to GT is the development and refinement of analytic categories through open and focused coding, leading to an integrated theoretical framework that explains the phenomenon under investigation. While briefly introducing major GT traditions, the course focuses on theory development grounded in empirical evidence and equips participants with the conceptual foundations and analytical competencies needed to conduct grounded theory analysis in their own research. Throughout the five days of the course, participants will have the opportunity to work intensively on their own research projects, applying grounded theory methods directly to their empirical material.

By allowing an inductive inquiry, without imposing prior expectations, grounded theory provides a unique methodological lens on understudied and/or emerging phenomena. During our Applied Grounded Theory course, participants will be provided with practical skills to carry out grounded theory research relevant to their own research projects. 

Day 1

We will discuss the roots of GT, different streams in GT research, and elaborate on when GT is relevant. In addition, we will explore how to structure research questions in GT research. Finally, we will focus on the role and positionality of us as researchers. 

Day 2

Varied examples for possible outcomes of GT will be demonstrated, mainly conceptualization and frameworks. This session will distinguish theorizing phenomena that manifest snapshots as opposed to phenomena that manifest processes, as well as behavior as opposed to considerations or motivations.  

Day 3

We will structure the process of data collection, including selecting informants, preparing an interview script, preparing for an interview, and developing interviewer skills. In addition, we will elaborate on the multiple ways through which to carry out the first phase of GT analysis, that is, open coding. 

Day 4

We will discuss Axial coding, that is, the second phase of analysis in GT, including the differentiation between levels of abstraction and meta-categories. Next, we will elaborate on the process from the analysis to generating grounded theory. Lastly, we will discuss how to write the methodological section in your paper.  

Day 5

Each of the participants will present their projects, with a special emphasis on the research question and analytical procedure each of you employed, and how preliminary findings emerged. Diving into others’ projects allows for enhancing and mastering methodological skills. 

This description is subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor

2 Credits

For completion of all work before and during the course, as outlined by the Instructor, and 90% participation and attendance of the course.