Sociology: General Terms and Concepts

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grounded theory

A Dictionary of Sociology | 1998 | | Copyright

grounded theory An idea pioneered by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss (in their book The Discovery of Grounded Theory, 1967) in which theory is developed from close observation of the world. In contrast to formal or abstract theory, which is developed by deducing (according to logical rules) hypotheses which are then tested against observations, the grounded approach argues for inductive theory-building: that is, developing theoretical ideas from observations of the data themselves. Glaser and Strauss argue that such theory should construct ‘sensitizing concepts’ from observation, drawing out comparisons with other linked areas (in a process they call the constant comparative method), and should sample theoretically (for example by sampling critical cases). The approach is closely linked to symbolic interactionism, and is one of the few logics of qualitative research, another being analytic induction.

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GORDON MARSHALL. "grounded theory." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

GORDON MARSHALL. "grounded theory." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-groundedtheory.html

GORDON MARSHALL. "grounded theory." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-groundedtheory.html

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grounded theory

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | Copyright

grounded theory (grownd-id) n. a theory or hypothesis developed from data generated from interviews and observations of people in their own environment.

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theory, grounded

A Dictionary of Sociology | 1998 | | Copyright

theory, grounded See GROUNDED THEORY.

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GORDON MARSHALL. "theory, grounded." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

GORDON MARSHALL. "theory, grounded." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-theorygrounded.html

GORDON MARSHALL. "theory, grounded." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-theorygrounded.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	A critique of the capacity of Strauss' grounded theory for prediction,... Magazine article from: The Qualitative Report; 12/1/2006
	Grounded theory as a qualitative research methodology.(Brief Article) Magazine article from: AORN Journal; 6/1/2001
	A critique of four grounded theory texts.(Book review) Magazine article from: The Qualitative Report; 11/1/2010