Seminars and workshops
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Grounded Theory Troubleshooting Seminar
April 2020
Location to be decided
Progress your grounded theory study with:
Helen Scott, PhD, Grounded Theory Online, Peer Reviewer of the Grounded Theory Review, Fellow of Grounded Theory Institute
Tom Andrews, PhD, University College Cork, Ireland. Peer Reviewer of GT Review, Fellow of Grounded Theory Institute
Seminar design
This highly practical seminar is designed for established and novice Grounded Theory researchers (including PhD and Masters students). The aims are to progress each Grounded Theory study to its next stage and to inspire and empower you as a GT researcher.
In particular we will work with you to:
- review your research design from a GT perspective
- review your data collection methods
- help you to conceptualise your data
- enable you to visualise a trajectory for your study and the steps you will need to take.
You will be able to learn from other researchers and PhD students and we will introduce you to the network of Grounded Theorists who just love talking Grounded Theory!
To apply for a place (see definitions of types of attendees in more detail below), please email Helen, giving your answers to the appropriate questions below.
Troubleshootees and Novices
Please tell us:
- What is your current status e.g. PhD student?
- What is the area/focus of your research?
- Troubleshootees: Where are you in the Grounded Theory process? Novices: what is your interest in Grounded Theory
- Troubleshootees: have you identified your core category? If so please elaborate.
- What would you like help with/feedback on from the seminar?
- Which Grounded Theory books have you read?
- Are you using classic, Glaserian Grounded Theory?
Please note that we will be looking for a mix of types of studies and stages of research and so if you are unsuccessful in gaining a place it is no reflection on your work.
Supporters
Please tell us:
A. What is your current status (e.g. PhD student, Supervisor, Professional researcher)?
B. What is your interest in Grounded Theory?
C. What would you like to gain from the seminar?
Seminar fees: The fees will be £365/€415 for PhD/Masters students and £395/€450 for faculty, post-doctorates and professional researchers. Tea, coffee and a (very nice) sandwich lunch will be provided. A deposit will be required upon confirmation of your place at the seminar.
Location: Petersfield, UK.
PLEASE DO NOT BOOK TRAVEL OR ACCOMMODATION UNTIL YOUR PLACE IS CONFIRMED!
The seminar in detail
Troubleshootees
There are places for up to 12 active participants, to bring work for ‘trouble shooting’. As a Troubleshootee you should have in mind specific issues which you wish to have addressed at the seminar and bring between 1 and 3 pages of relevant information; perhaps data (e.g. field notes/transcripts of interviews or observations) or memos. Since all participants will be considering each project in turn, please make 22 copies available for distribution to other participants.
Troubleshootees and Novices will also be invited to meet with one of the seminar leaders either individually or in pairs.
Supporters/Novices
There are also places for up to 6 ‘Supporters’ (normally supervisors) and ‘Novices’ (who have not yet started data collection or perhaps have not yet even committed to a research method). As a Novice you will learn by being immersed in Grounded Theory methodology and by observing the troubleshooting of other GT studies. If there is time, Novices will be invited to talk through their issues and concerns in a very relaxed and informal manner.
Supporters are requested to merely observe to allow the focus to remain on Troubleshootees and Novices.
Applying for a place as a Troubleshootee
To apply for a place as a Troubleshootee/Novice: please email helen@groundedtheoryonline.com telling us something about your interest in Grounded Theory and answering as many of the following questions as are relevant:
- What is your current status e.g. PhD student?
- What is the area/focus of your research?
- Troubleshootees: Where are you in the Grounded Theory process? Novices: what is your interest in Grounded Theory
- Troubleshootees: have you identified your core category? If so please elaborate.
- What would you like help with/feedback on from the seminar?
- Which Grounded Theory books have you read?
- Are you using classic, Glaserian Grounded Theory?
Please note that we will be looking for a mix of types of studies and stages of research and so if you are unsuccessful in gaining a place it is no reflection on your work.
Applying for a place as a Supporter
To apply for a place as a supporter: please email helen@groundedtheoryonline.com telling us something about your interest in Grounded Theory and answering as many of the questions below as are relevant:
A. What is your current status (e.g. PhD student)?
B. What is your interest in Grounded Theory?
C. What would you like to gain from the seminar?
Fees: The fees will be £365/€415 for students and £395/€450 for faculty, post-doctorates and professional researchers. A deposit will be required upon confirmation of your place at the seminar.
Accommodation:
Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.co.uk ) and Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) will help you find accommodation. Airbnb may also help.
Please do not make travel arrangements until your place has been confirmed
Preparation:
Please read at least ‘Doing Grounded Theory and preferably ‘Discovery’ as well:
THE DISCOVERY OF GROUNDED THEORY: Strategies for Qualitative Research (1967, 1999) Barney G. Glaser, Anselm L Strauss ISBN 1-884156-13-4 … if you have not read this already, read it in a relaxed way just to get an introduction to the ideas underpinning grounded theory. Then read:
DOING GROUNDED THEORY: Issues and Discussions (1998) by: Barney G. Glaser, Ph.D ISBN 1-884156-11-8. … in a more intentional way.
Proposed Schedule:
Day 1
09.30 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 10.30 Welcome and introductions
10.30 – 11.30 Scoping the seminar
11.30 – 13.00 Troubleshooting (2 participants) with a break at some point
13.00 – 14.30 Lunch break
14.30 – 18.00 Troubleshooting (4 participants) with a break at some point
Day 2
09.30 – 10.30 Review of previous day
10.30 – 12.30 Troubleshooting (2 participants) with a break at some point
12.30 – 14.00 Lunch break
13.30 – 17.00 Troubleshooting (4 participants) with a break at some point
Online workshop
Introduction to grounded theory: planning a grounded theory study.
This online workshop is for those wondering if Grounded Theory is right for them or who are just starting out. You have the option to quietly observe or together we can work through your plans and discuss your concerns, specifically addressing:
- What is Grounded Theory?
- Is this the right method for your study?
- Is the substantive area ok?
- Is the way that you will collect/are collecting your data consistent with Grounded Theory? Can it be improved?
The aim is to avoid early and common errors which can make the GT process more difficult than it has to be. We will also:
- unpick the terms used in Grounded Theory (e.g. indicator, incident, category, code, concept);
- demonstrate data analysis techniques e.g. open coding, constant comparison and memoing;
- practice analysis together, using your own data or our sample data.
Please contact us if you are interested in attending.
The seminar usually takes about 2 – 3 hours and the seminar fee is £75 for students and £95 for supervisors/professional/post-doc researchers. We use Skype and our Skype id is ‘groundedtheoryonline’.
Participants’ experience of our Troubleshooting Seminar
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the seminar last week. It was the most useful workshop I’ve done so far on my doctoral journey. It clarified so many little questions I had in my head and most of the doubts about what I’m doing, the hows and whys. There wasn’t a moment during the two days when I wasn’t learning. (N.B., May, 2018)
I totally enjoyed the experience, the venue, the mix of colleagues, the refreshments, relaxed ambiance, the pace and the remote chat with Tom. I have gathered a lot of information and confidence through the process, met some lovely people and am now turning my learning into action! (G.M, May, 2018)
I really enjoyed the seminar and stimulating company over the two days. I feel like it’s broadened my understanding of grounded theory and has encouraged me to integrate the theory which could make a big difference to the end product. Thank you very much… (R.E, May, 2018)
Overall, the grounded theory seminar has been a great experience. I have learned a lot, and feel much more confident that I will not make as much silly mistakes in my research as I would have done if I had not had this experience. I will most likely return in a year or two to get more assistance. I would wholeheartedly recommend the GT seminar to everyone considering or undertaking classic grounded theory research. Apart from the subject matter, it was incredibly valuable to discuss my work and woes with others doing similar research, and to simply network with like-minded researchers. We now have a Grounded Theory WhatsApp group, and it is going to be good to stay in touch! (Nieky, May, 2018)
A big thank you for such a great two days, it exceeded my expectations in terms of learning both practicalities and re focusing my research, I found it immensely reassuring to realise that I have chosen the best methodology for my study. Your advise was so valuable … (Anne, November 2016)
The pre seminar stage of my research was uncomplicated and painless. The data was analysed through a preconceived framework. It was an easy task to fit the data into an predetermined set of framework. Thus the pre seminar period was the period of ‘I’ talking on behalf of the data. With this aforementioned condition I decided to attend the seminar organised by Dr Helen Scott.
The seminar proved to be an eye-opener. The seminar lectures focused for the conceptual clarity and gave personal attention to attendee’s hassle. A thorough personal discussion with Tom Andrew helped me to realise my mistake and inspired me to retake the entire coding process. Thus, the post seminar period phase started with the relinquishing the well nurtured idea, looking at the data with clean mind set and dealing with the question like ‘what’s your research question?’ (often left unanswered) with dilemma. The phase is full of frustration, dealing ‘myself’ with patience and oscillating between doubts and self confidence. Tom Andrew’s guidance helped me through out the process. The emergence of core category after tireless coding and memos gave me a sheer satisfaction.
I want to thank Helen Scott and Tom Andrew for inspiring me and making my journey joyful.
Bhakti Shah,
PhD student.
Institute of Diversity Research.
University of Göttingen, Germany.
and UK link)
. We suggest you read this book in a relaxed way for an introduction to the ideas underpinning grounded theory. Bear in mind that the way that Glaser uses some of the terms changes over the next 50 years as he develops his explication of the method. I notice there is now also a Kindle version
.Next we recommend that you read Doing Grounded Theory: Issues & Discussion (USA link
and UK link)
more intentionally. Relate what you read to your study and read and re-read relevant chapters as you progress your study. Keep it close: it has the potential to become your 'constant companion' for the duration!Once you have started coding try Theoretical Sensitivity: Advances in the Methodology of Grounded Theory (USA link
and UK link)
. This book is really useful and whilst written before 'Doing GT', we suggest that it is best read after reading 'Doing GT', when you are more familiar with the method and more comfortable with the nomenclature (not jargon : )Theoretical codes bring light and shape to your theory. They are introduced in 'Theoretical Sensitivity' but this book The Grounded Theory Perspective III: Theoretical Coding (USA link
and UK link)
is the key to unlocking your understanding of how to recognise the theoretical code(s) that best organise your substantive codes. (Be reassured that it will all make sense by the time you've finished your study; GT is an experiential method - you have to do it, to understand it! And of course, we are here to help along the way).
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