Grounded theory mentoring
Work through your study with someone who understands the method.
Grounded theory can become difficult at any stage. You may be uncertain about your research design, wondering whether you are conceptualising or describing, trying to make sense of an emerging category, or struggling to bring the theory together.
Mentoring gives you time to work through those questions using your own study.
Begin with what is puzzling you
What are you working through?
You do not need to arrive with a neatly defined problem. Sometimes you know exactly what you want to discuss. Sometimes you simply know that something is not quite working.
“I have lots of codes, but I am not sure I am developing concepts.”
“I do not know what I should sample next.”
“I think I have a core category, but I am not sure.”
“I can see pieces of the theory, but I cannot bring them together.”
These are the kinds of questions mentoring gives us time to explore.
Bring the question that is puzzling you now. You might bring some data, codes, a memo, an emerging category, a diagram or a piece of writing. We can look at what is happening in your study and work out a useful next step.
Support shaped around your study
What can we work on?
Designing your study
Work through your research question, research design and the methodological decisions that will allow your grounded theory to develop.
Getting started with analysis
Explore coding, constant comparison and memoing using material from your own study.
Moving beyond description
Examine whether you are describing your data or developing concepts, and work on raising the conceptual level of the analysis.
Theoretical sampling
Think through what you need to find out next, what you need to compare and where you might look for further data.
Developing your theory
Work with emerging categories, their properties and relationships, and the developing core of your theory.
Writing your grounded theory
Work through how to integrate and present your theory in a thesis, dissertation, paper or research report.
One-to-one support
How mentoring works
Mentoring is one-to-one and shaped around your study.
We do not follow a predetermined programme. We begin with what is happening in your research now and work from there.
You can send me material beforehand when that would help—a memo, some anonymised data, codes, categories, a diagram or a piece of writing—or simply arrive with the question you want to explore.
Some researchers come for one conversation at a particular point in their study. Others work with me over a longer period as their analysis develops.
The work remains yours.
Mentoring does not mean that I analyse your data or make methodological decisions for you. My role is to help you think through what you are doing, develop your grounded theory skills and recognise possibilities in your analysis that you can then pursue.
Near the beginning?
Starting a grounded theory study?
If you are near the beginning, several conversations can be particularly useful. We might work through:
- whether grounded theory fits what you want to investigate;
- the relationship between your research question and research design;
- preparing for data collection and analysis;
- beginning constant comparison, coding and memoing;
- recognising what your early analysis is suggesting you do next.
The aim is not to decide everything before the research begins. It is to establish a sound starting point from which the study can develop.
Flexible support
Mentoring fees
Individual mentoring
£80
One hour online. Book a single session when you have a particular question or issue you want to work through.
Four mentoring hours
£280
Use the four hours in the way that best suits your study. Sessions can be spread across your research and do not have to be one hour long.
Is your research institution funding your study?
Universities, research programmes and employers may be willing to fund specialist methodological mentoring or training. If you need information or an invoice to support a funding request, please get in touch.
From a researcher
What does mentoring add?
“Helen offered a great deal of technical support … but she also encouraged me during those times when I felt simply confused.”
Mie-Na Srein, MA
The aim of mentoring is not to remove the uncertainty that comes with doing grounded theory. It is to give you a knowledgeable conversation in which you can examine what you are doing, make sense of the choices in front of you and continue the work yourself.
A few practical questions
Who is mentoring for?
I work with researchers at different stages of grounded theory studies, from doctoral and master’s researchers beginning their first study to experienced researchers, supervisors and research teams.
Do I need to use a particular grounded theory tradition?
No. I work with researchers using different grounded theory traditions and philosophical positions. We focus on the methodological decisions you are making, the logic behind them and what they mean for the theory you are developing.
How long does a session need to be?
Sessions are flexible. A substantial analytical discussion may need an hour or more; a shorter conversation may be enough to work through a specific next step. Four-hour mentoring blocks can be divided in the way that is most useful to your study.
Can I send material beforehand?
Yes. When it will help the discussion, you can send a focused piece of material such as a memo, some anonymised data, codes, categories, a diagram or a short piece of writing.
Not sure whether mentoring is what you need?
Tell me what you are working through. I can help you decide whether mentoring, an Introductory Workshop or the Troubleshooting Seminar would be the most useful next step.