Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Skip to main content
Log in

Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria

  • Articles
  • Published:
Qualitative Sociology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using grounded theory as an example, this paper examines three methodological questions that are generally applicable to all qualitative methods. How should the usual scientific canons be reinterpreted for qualitative research? How should researchers report the procedures and canons used in their research? What evaluative criteria should be used in judging the research products? We propose that the criteria should be adapted to fit the procedures of the method. We demonstrate how this can be done for grounded theory and suggest criteria for evaluating studies following this approach. We argue that other qualitative researchers might be similarly specific about their procedures and evaluative criteria.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agar, M. (1986). Speaking of Ethnography. Beverly Hills CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barley, S. (1986). “Technology as an occasion for structuring” evidence from observations of CT scanners and the social order of radiology departments.”Administrative Science Quarterly 31, 78–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H. (1970). Sociological Work: Method and Substance. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumer, H. (1931). “Science without concepts.”American Journal of Sociology 36, 515–533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, R. (ed.) (1982).Field Research: A Source Book and Field Manual. London: George Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charmaz, K. (1983). “The Grounded Theory Method: An Explication and Interpretation.” In R. Emerson (ed.)Contemporary Field Research. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 109–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (1916).Essays in Experimental Logic. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (1925). Experience and Nature Chicago: Open Court. Fielding, N. and Fielding J. 1986.Linking Data. Beverly Hills, CA.: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B. (1978).Theoretical Sensitivity. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B., and Strauss, A. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Chicago: Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gortner, S., and Schultz, P. (1988). “Approaches to nursing science methods.”Image 20, 22–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammersley, M., and Atkinson, P. (1983).Ethnography: Principles in Practice. London: Tavistock.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, E. (1971).The Sociological Eye. Chicago: Aldine, 1971. Reprinted, New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. (1975).Doing Field Research. N.Y.: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kidder, L. (1981). “Qualitative research and quasi-experimental frameworks.” In M. Brewer and B. Collings (eds.).Scientific Inquiry and the Social Sciences. San Francisco: CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J. and Miller, M. (1986).Reliability, Validity and Qualitative Research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T. (1962).The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Compte, N., and Goetz, J. (1982). “Problems of reliability and validity in ethnographic research.”Review of Educational Research 52, 31–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mead, George H. (1934).Mind, Self, and Society. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, R., and Burgess, E. (1921).An Introduction to the Science of Sociology. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, K. (1959).The Logic of Scientific Discovery. N.Y.: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandelowski, M. (1986). “The problem of rigor in qualitative research.”Advances in Nursing Science.8, 27–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. (1970). “Discovering New Theory from Previous Theory.” In T. Shibutani (ed.)Human Nature and Collective Theory. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. (1987).Qualitative Analysis. N.Y.: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990).Basic of Grounded Theory Methods. Beverly Hills, CA.: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., and Corbin, J. (1989). “Tracing Lines of Conditional Influence: Matrix and Paths.” Paper delivered at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Society, San Francisco, California, August 13.

  • Strauss, A., Fagerhaugh, S., Suczek, B., and Wiener, C. (1985).The Social Organization of Medical Work. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Corbin, J.M., Strauss, A. Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qual Sociol 13, 3–21 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988593

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988593

Keywords

Navigation