An Introduction to Constructivist Grounded Theory [FULL]

WCQR2026 Training Day

Please note: Attendance at the Training Day is not included in the WCQR2026 conference registration and requires separate enrollment. Please visit WCQR2026 Training Day - WCQR

This short course introduces Kathy Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory (CGT), with a particular focus on social justice-oriented research. Grounded theory (GT) methods consist of flexible guidelines to fit particular research problems, not to apply mechanically. With these guidelines, you expedite and systematize data collection and analysis. CGT and social justice issues 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.

Content

In this short course, following an exploration of the history and development of GT, we examine GT basic guidelines and major strategies, including initial line-by-line and focused coding, the use of gerunds, memoing, diagramming, theoretical sampling, and categorising. Throughout the session, there is an emphasis on CGT’s epistemological foundation and resultant adaptations to the research process, including regarding the literature review, researcher positionality/ies, and participant involvement.

Structure

The short course will include a number of hands-on exercises to exemplify, and give participants an opportunity to practice, the strategies being discussed. For the coding exercise, you may bring and use some of your own qualitative data, or if you do not have data yet, some will be supplied. Clear guidelines and support are provided to participants with regard to all aspects of CGT.

The session will utilise CGT readings and resources from Kathy Charmaz, Robert Thornberg, Adele Clarke, and myself, and will draw on the scholarship of Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss.

Goals

This short course will be of interest to those doing full CGT studies but also to those who may be interested in learning about and potentially using some of the powerful GT strategies (such as coding) in studies with a different overall methodological approach.