What is the essence of Grounded Theory research?

The essence of Grounded Theory research lies in its focus on generating theories that are grounded in the data collected during the research process. This approach emphasizes identifying themes and patterns within qualitative data, which are then synthesized to formulate theories that explain the phenomena being studied. Grounded Theory is typically used to develop new theories rather than testing existing ones, prioritizing the insights that emerge directly from participants' experiences and perspectives.

Gathering statistical data, collaborative story retelling, and conducting broad surveys do not capture the core methodology of Grounded Theory. Statistical data collection focuses more on quantitative analysis, while collaborative story retelling emphasizes narrative and relational aspects without necessarily leading to theory formation. Broad surveys, meanwhile, are more aligned with quantitative research and do not delve deeply into the qualitative insights that Grounded Theory seeks to uncover. Overall, the focus on deriving themes from qualitative data to create new theories is what fundamentally defines the Grounded Theory approach.