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Constructivist Grounded Theory in Qualitative Research for Social Justice: Purpose, Process, Promise

Type:

Plenary Conference

Category:

Kraków (Poland)

Place:

Jagiellonian University, Collegium Novum

Date and time:

14:00 to 15:00 on 02/06/2025

Location: Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Novum

Grounded theory (GT), developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in the 1960s, aims to construct ‘middle-range’ theory from data. It is exploratory, iterative, inductive-abductive, comparative, and systematic. GT’s exploratory nature is seen in its ground-up, open-ended approach through which the researcher is led by data. It is fundamentally iterative through the back-and-forth nature of data collection and analysis, both of which commence early in a study and are conducted in tandem. Both inductive and abductive logic are inherent in the GT process, with the researcher making tentative hypothetical statements through an inductive approach and investigating which hypothesis best explains an aspect of data through abduction. GT is founded upon Glaser’s constant comparative method, with researchers continually engaged in a process of comparison of data with data, data with codes, codes with codes, and so on, throughout the research process.

Finally, GT is systematic in that a set of flexible guidelines is offered to the researcher to guide their work. This keynote address commences by briefly exploring the history and development of GT and its variant ‘schools’, including Kathy Charmaz’s Constructivist GT (CGT) school, before examining its core features (including coding, theoretical sampling, analytic memoing, and conceptualising), some of which differ depending on the GT ‘school’ under consideration. I emphasise constructivist adaptations to the GT process, particularly those relating to the timing and nature of the literature review, researcher positionalities and related reflexivity, as well as meaningful participant involvement which are underpinned by CGT’s co-constructive principles. I then show how Constructivist GT is especially well aligned with social justice-oriented research as they serve mutually complementary purposes.

GT methods can assist social justice researchers in making their work more analytic, precise, and compelling. A social justice focus can help grounded theorists to move their methods into macro analyses. In this context, I draw on CGT research across substantive disciplines to show how the methodology is being employed internationally to further social justice goals. Finally, I end by highlighting key challenges and important opportunities as we look towards the future use of GT and CGT in qualitative research internationally.

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