Grounded Theory

Grounded Theory (GT) is a method of qualitative research, the purpose of which is to establish theories based on empirical data (Strauss, 1987.05). Researchers may not have theoretical assumptions in hands before the beginning of the research. They thus resort to observate, summarize the findings, and then try to develop some theories. It is a method trying to establish substantive theory from the bottom, that is, on the basis of systematic data collection to find the core concepts that reflect the essence of phenomena, and then construct relevant social theories through the connections between these concepts. Grounded theory must be supported by empirical evidence, but its main characteristic is featured by the new concepts and thoughts generated from empirical facts. In philosophy, grounded theoryis based on the paradigm of post-positivism, which emphasizes the falsification of established theories.

Edited and translated by Zhang Yifei