What Is Grounded Theory? A Practical Guide to Its Features, Steps, and Pros/Cons

Grounded Theory, introduced in the 1960s by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss while studying hospital organization and end‑of‑life care, is an important qualitative research method for theory construction.

1. Characteristics of Grounded Theory

Grounded Theory has several key characteristics:

1.1 Theory rooted in data

It insists that theory must emerge from raw data, with concepts and categories abstracted directly from the material without preset hypotheses, ensuring explanatory and predictive power.

1.2 Maintaining theoretical sensitivity

Researchers must stay highly sensitive to emerging concepts throughout data collection and analysis, allowing them to detect theoretical clues in loosely organized data.

1.3 Constant comparative method

Data are first open‑coded, then axial‑coded to relate concepts, and finally selectively coded to identify core concepts and integrate them into a systematic theory.

1.4 Flexible use of literature

Literature can broaden perspective but must not dominate; researchers combine literature with primary data, keeping an open and critical stance.

1.5 Standards for theory evaluation

Quality criteria include traceability of concepts to data, richness of content and connections, and the formation of a coherent, integrated theoretical framework.

2. Steps to Implement Grounded Theory

2.1 Open coding

Researchers examine data openly, identifying potential concepts and categories, and assign initial names and explanations.

2.2 Axial coding

After generating concepts, core concepts are selected, their attributes explored, and relationships among concepts are mapped to form a conceptual network.

2.3 Selective coding

A central concept is chosen and linked to other concepts, constructing a comprehensive theoretical framework.

2.4 Theoretical sampling

Based on the emerging framework, researchers deliberately collect additional data to refine and enrich the theory.

2.5 Theoretical saturation

When new data no longer yield new concepts, the theory is considered saturated and sufficiently systematic.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages include constructive theory building, strong process orientation, applicability to new fields, and deep insight into the research subject.

Disadvantages involve an over‑emphasis on induction, time‑consuming data analysis, high demand for researcher sensitivity, limited stability and reproducibility, and subjective evaluation standards.

Grounded Theory is valuable for exploratory studies and under‑theorized domains, but researchers should combine it with other methods to offset its limitations.

References: [1] Chen Xiangming. “The Ideas and Methods of Grounded Theory” J. Education Research and Experiment, 1999(04):58‑63+73. [2] Chen Xiangming. “Exploration of Grounded Theory in Chinese Educational Research” J. Peking University Education Review, 2015, 13(01):2‑15+188. DOI:10.19355/j.cnki.1671-9468.2015.01.002.