Grounded theory troubleshooting seminar
Bring your grounded theory. Work out what happens next.
A two-day online seminar built around the grounded theory studies, questions and analytical problems participants bring with them.
Bring a memo, some anonymised data, your codes, a diagram or an emerging theoretical idea. Together we examine what is happening in the analysis and consider a useful next step.
Next seminar
20–21 January 2027
Online via Zoom
09:30–16:30 London/Dublin (UTC+0)
With Helen Scott, PhD
and Tom Andrews, PhD
A different kind of seminar
This is not a taught grounded theory course.
The seminar develops around the studies participants bring with them. Rather than working through a fixed programme, we focus on the methodological and analytical questions that are arising in real grounded theory research.
Sometimes the most useful next step becomes clear when you explain what you are doing, examine it with other grounded theorists and look again at what your analysis is asking of you.
You can come with a clearly defined problem, or simply with the sense that your study has reached a point where you need to think differently about what comes next.
What might you bring?
Work with the study you actually have.
Data and coding
Bring anonymised data, early codes or a piece of analysis if you are trying to move beyond description and generate concepts.
Memos and categories
Bring a memo, an emerging concept or a diagram when you want to examine what your concepts mean and how the analysis is developing.
Theoretical sampling
Bring the point at which you are unsure what to collect, compare or pursue next and work through what your developing theory needs from you.
Developing a core
Bring your emerging theoretical ideas if you are trying to understand what holds the study together or whether a core category is beginning to develop.
Research design
Bring a design decision, methodological question or difficulty aligning what you are doing with the logic of grounded theory.
Writing the theory
Bring a section of writing, an outline or the problem of presenting an integrated grounded theory clearly in a thesis, paper or report.
How the seminar works
Think aloud. Compare. See what opens up.
Researchers bringing active studies explain what they are working through and share a small amount of material where useful. Helen and Tom work with the researcher in the group, asking questions, examining possibilities and helping make the methodological logic of the next move more visible.
The group learns from each study. A question raised by one researcher often sharpens another person’s understanding of coding, comparison, sampling, conceptualisation or integration.
Researchers bringing a study can submit 1–3 pages of anonymised data, memos or other material and receive focused troubleshooting plus individual time with a seminar leader.
Ways to take part
You do not have to be at the same stage as everyone else.
Bring your study
Researchers with active projects
For researchers who want focused help with a methodological or analytical question arising in their own grounded theory.
- Up to 12 places
- Bring a specific question or sticking point
- Optional 1–3 pages of anonymised material
- Focused troubleshooting and individual time
Learn by listening
Researchers new to grounded theory
You may not yet have data or a study ready to troubleshoot. Learning from real analytical problems can make the methodology much more accessible.
- Learn from live troubleshooting of real studies
- Listen, ask questions and join in when it feels right
- Take what is useful back to your own study
Support with insight
Supervisors and experienced researchers
For supervisors and experienced researchers who want to strengthen their ability to support grounded theory studies, recognise common methodological difficulties and guide researchers in ways that preserve emergence and conceptual development.
- Up to 3 supporter places
- Witness the seminar process
- Hear a range of grounded theory problems
- Take ideas back to supervision or research practice
Practical details
20–21 January 2027 · Online
09:30–16:30 London/Dublin (UTC+0) on both days, via Zoom.
£325
Doctoral students and self-funding researchers
£380
Faculty and institution-funded researchers (non-students)
If you need an invoice or would prefer to arrange payment another way, email helen@groundedtheoryonline.com.
Seminar leaders
Grounded theory experience in the room.
Helen Scott, PhD
Grounded theorist, mentor and consultant researcher at Grounded Theory Online. Helen supports researchers to work through design, conceptual analysis, theoretical sampling and the development and integration of grounded theory.
Tom Andrews, PhD
Tom Andrews is an experienced grounded theorist, formerly of University College Cork, with expertise in conducting, teaching and supporting grounded theory research. Tom and Helen have worked together on troubleshooting seminars for many years.
A practical companion: Using Grounded Theory: How to Develop Theory for Managed Change offers exercises and a mini-project you can use between conversations to continue practising grounded theory analysis.
Have a question before you register?
Tell me where you are in your study and what you are hoping to work through. I can help you decide whether the Troubleshooting Seminar is the right next step.