Online workshop

NEXT WORKSHOP: Tuesday 10 December, 2024 at 9.30 a.m. GMT (good for Australia).
Email helen@groundedtheoryonline.com if you are interested.

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 meet using Zoom.

Participants’ experience of our Troubleshooting Seminar

 I very much appreciate the efforts of Dr Helen Scott and Dr Tom Andrews for organising high quality grounded theory troubleshooting seminars, which have brought me not only valuable guidance and constructive advice on the methodology, but also brought me a chance to meet several supportive friends in the grounded theory communities around the globe. Maleeya Buravas, PhD, 2022

Also, I thank all those who made this learning process possible: … Helen Scott at Grounded Theory Online for the troubleshooting seminar and mentoring to write up a cohesive grounded theory. Upholding family relationships in a context of increasing awareness of parental illness, Charlotte Oja PhD 2021

The questions “Where do I start?”  or “Am I right too?”  occupied me a lot before the seminar and still I face them with every word of my texts.  With your seminar, I was able to embark on a journey of discovery – not only about the methodology, but rather about myself and my attitude as a researcher to the subject.  The most exciting thing was exposing my perspective on subjects and their concerns and thus drawing conclusions about the discourse in which my research moves.  The seminar gave me no answer to the question: “Is this the right way?”  – Rather, it taught me how I cope with the path I have chosen: That is, to recognize my research intention and to make it understandable to a broad audience.  The respectful and familiar setting (despite the online format) essentially contributed to this – as a researcher I was grateful for this attitude.  In addition, the international network enriched me and gave me insights into how wonderfully diverse research can be, that something connects us and that we are not alone with our questions – all of which is immensely encouraging. (G.T. September, 2021)

I attended the Grounded Theory troubleshooting virtual seminar in 2020 as I was hoping to use the methodology in my PHD research. I was a little anxious attending the course as I was very new to Grounded Theory but the excellent presentations and lively discussions really increased my understanding of the methodology and confirmed that it was the right choice for me. I was also given the opportunity to present and discuss my own study, which was invaluable. Helen and Tom were excellent facilitators and listening to the other attendees discuss their studies helped me understand the practical applications of Grounded Theory. I’ll definitely be attending again! (S.OR.,September, 2021)

Helen and Tom’s facilitation of the Grounded Theory Troubleshooting seminar was hugely beneficial to my research. There was plenty of opportunity to share our research and receive constructive feedback no matter what stage we were at (it was very useful to see research at various stages of the journey) and whilst it was overwhelming at times, I am a much more confident Grounded Theorist now and plan to attend more sessions before my thesis is completed. I have stayed in touch with other attendees, and we meet monthly now to discuss all things Grounded Theory. I’m very grateful for Helen’s support in bringing us all together.
(N.R., September, 2021)

I attended the 2-day Grounded Theory Online seminar in March 2021 as a troubleshootee.  It was a great opportunity to present my research and to get constructive feedback from the expert facilitators and fellow early researchers who attended.  In an interactive and supportive environment I received constructive feedback that helped me to make real progress in my research journey. (S.OC., September, 2021)

Crucially, thank you so much for the very rich and insightful seminar. The robust, friendly and intellectually stimulating interventions/comments of participants is also deeply appreciated. (S.T., November, 2019)

Helen’s expertise in this methodology is immense and she infers a gentle confidence and strength to a Student. You don’t need to walk alone is my message to you. (C.Q., November, 2019)

The seminar was an inspirational experience for me and I feel I really understand how GT will fit my project and visa versa now. Extremely helpful stuff! (S.M., November, 2019)

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.