A brief teaching note on the grounded theory as a research methodology in social science

A brief teaching note on the grounded theory as a research methodology in social science (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "Briefly highlight the main ideas of the grounded theory (of Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss) as a research methodology in social science with regard to the following topics: (1) favored research philosophy, (2) favored research approach(es) (both on (i) the research methods (i.e. quantitative, qualitative mixed methods) and (ii) the reasoning approaches (i.e. inductive, deductive and abductive reasoning).) (3) favored research method design techniques, (4) favored research method design quality criteria, (5) favored data analysis techniques, and (6) favored researcher's impression management approach in conducting the grounded theory (of Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss)."

The reply: "The main ideas of the grounded theory (GT) methodology by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in social science research can be highlighted as follows:

(1) Favored research philosophy:
Grounded theory favors a blend of positivist philosophy (in Glaser's classic approach) and symbolic interactionism (Strauss's influence), grounding the research in empirical data while appreciating participants’ active role in creating meaning. It challenges the dominance of a priori theorizing by allowing theories to emerge inductively from data collected in social contexts.

(2) Favored research approach(es):
(i) Research methods: GT primarily uses qualitative methods for data collection, such as interviews, field notes, and documents, with the aim to generate theory grounded in data rather than testing hypotheses.
(ii) Reasoning approaches: GT mainly employs inductive reasoning, building theory from the ground up through constant comparison of data. It also involves abductive reasoning in theorizing from observed data, contrasting with deductive hypothesis testing dominant in quantitative research.

(3) Favored research method design techniques:
The methodology emphasizes simultaneous data collection and analysis using the constant comparative method, theoretical sampling (selecting new data sources to elaborate emerging theories), coding (open, axial, selective), memo-writing, and iterative refinement to let theoretical categories emerge naturally from the data.

(4) Favored research method design quality criteria:
Criteria include theoretical sensitivity (researcher's insight to identify meaningful data), fit (the theory must closely represent data), relevance (the theory addresses real social phenomena), workability (the theory explains how the phenomenon happens), and modifiability (the theory can adapt to new data).

(5) Favored data analysis techniques:
Coding of qualitative data into concepts and categories using constant comparative analysis is central. Categories are integrated into conceptual frameworks through iterative comparison, memoing, and theoretical coding to construct explanatory theories grounded in data.

(6) Favored researcher's impression management approach:
GT advocates for delaying the literature review to avoid preconceived notions influencing theory development. The researcher maintains theoretical sensitivity while engaging deeply in iterative data interaction to allow emergent theory, practicing reflexivity to manage subjectivity and keep analysis grounded.

These points summarize the core methodology and philosophy underlying Glaser and Strauss's grounded theory approach in qualitative social science research."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.