How to develop theory for managed change

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About this book

Popular with interpretivist, critical realist and post-positivist researchers, the grounded theory research methodology is used in psychology, healthcare, business, management and leadership, education, sociology and more.  Researchers using this method tend to want to understand what is going on for a group of people in an area of interest and often seek to provide practical recommendations for targeted and impactful change.

Using Grounded Theory offers step-by-step guidance on generating grounded theory using qualitative data, and is enriched by the many examples of Helen’s mentees and peers who share their strategies for addressing common challenges of doing grounded theory.  It will be valuable for post-graduate researchers, supervisors, professors, lecturers, and professionals in qualitative research.

Reviews

With its emphasis on practical application, clear explanations of terms and illustrated throughout, Using Grounded Theory provides an immersive text that gives the reader a real sense of how to do grounded theory.
Tom Andrews, PhD, Lecturer Emeritus, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork.

Helen Scott, a second-generation grounded theorist trained directly by Barney G. Glaser, draws on years of mentoring experience to provide clear guidance on applying this research methodology. I highly recommend her book Using Grounded Theory
Matyas Bodi, PhD, Research Fellow, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford.

Helen Scott brings the whole package of grounded theory to life, presenting it excitingly and practically, drawing on her extensive experience guiding researchers. Using Grounded Theory serves not only as a valuable guide for both novice and advanced researchers but also as a significant contribution to the growing and powerful grounded theory community.
Johan Brugmans, PhD, Rotterdam University, Human & Organizational Behavior

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
– Using this book
– Important background
1. WHAT IS GROUNDED THEORY?
– Emergence and openness are key
– Your turn – area, population
2: WHAT DOES A GROUNDED THEORY LOOK LIKE?
– The power of grounded theory
– Variations of grounded theory
– Your turn – purpose
3: COLLECTING GROUNDED THEORY DATA
– All is data
– Your turn – research conversations
– How Charmazian grounded theory differs: data collection
– A word on ethics
– Your turn – which data?
4: DATA ANALYSIS: PART I
– Inductive stage: open coding
– Your turn – email me
– How Charmazian grounded theory differs: data analysis part I
5: DATA ANALYSIS: PART II
– Deductive stage: theoretical sampling and selective coding
– Memoing to conceptualise
– How Charmazian grounded theory differs: data analysis part II
6: CONCEPTUAL INTEGRATION
– Theoretical codes
– How Charmazian grounded theory differs: conceptual integration
7: THE FINAL STAGES
– Sampling the extant literature
– Writing up the final draft
– Situating your theory
– Evaluating a grounded theory
8: INTEGRATING GROUNDED THEORY WITHIN A RESEARCH DEGREE
– Research problem and research questions
– Prior knowledge and theoretical sensitivity
– Construction of meaning
– Choose according to your purpose
– Implications for practice
9: A VERY PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE
– Synergy
– Philosophically neutral
Epilogue
– Disseminating a practical perspective
References
Appendix 1 Data analysis: getting conceptual

Author Biography

Dr Helen Scott is a respected grounded theorist and mentor with extensive experience supporting researchers worldwide across a range of disciplines, including psychology, nursing, healthcare, business, leadership, education, and sociology. She is a founding member of the International Association of Grounded Theorists and co-organized the successful 2024 conference Grounded Theory Futures. She also serves as a consultant researcher for global, national, and local organizations.

Helen Scott was trained in grounded theory by Dr. Barney Glaser. Her work draws on this training and on her rich experiences of holding troubleshooting seminars, supervising and mentoring novice grounded theorists, and the real-world examples that mentees and peers generously share.

A passionate advocate for grounded theory, Helen Scott emphasizes practical engagement with the methodology. With this book and through her website, Grounded Theory Online, Helen offers guidance on collecting and analyzing qualitative data systematically and supports researchers to develop meaningful theories and propose impactful change. Through regular networking meetings at Grounded Theory Coffee Connect and through her seminars and workshops, Helen fosters a thriving community of grounded theorists. Her contributions have made grounded theory more accessible and actionable for doctoral and master’s students, postgraduate researchers, supervisors, teachers of research, and professionals alike.