What is grounded theory research design?

Grounded theory research design is a qualitative research method that involves generating a theory or explanation about a phenomenon based on empirical data that is systematically collected and analyzed. The goal of grounded theory is to develop a theory that is grounded in the data rather than starting with a preconceived theory or hypothesis. This research design involves a process of constant comparison, where data is collected and analyzed iteratively and compared to previous data until key insights and patterns emerge. Researchers often use open-ended interviews, observation, and document analysis to gather data, and then use coding and memo-writing to organize and interpret the data. The end result is a theory or model that explains the phenomenon and its relationships in detail, with the theory being grounded in the data collected.

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