The use of Grounded Theory Technique as a Practical Tool for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

Abstract

When encountering qualitative research for the first time, one is confronted with both the number of methods and the difficulty of collecting, analysing and presenting large amounts of data. In quantitative research, it is possible to make a clear distinction between gathering and analysing data. However, this distinction is not clear‑cut in qualitative research. The objective of this paper is to provide insight for the novice researcher and the experienced researcher coming to grounded theory for the first time. For those who already have experience in the use of the method the paper provides further much needed discussion arising out of the method’s adoption in the IS field. In this paper the authors present a practical application and illustrate how grounded theory method was applied to an interpretive case study research. The paper discusses grounded theory method and provides guidance for the use of the method in interpretive studies.