Analysing qualitative data

David Plowright

Grounded theory

• Grounded theory was developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967).

• Grounded theory starts with data collected through, for example, a number of relatively less structured interviews.

• Theory or explanation of the issue(s) under investigation is then developed from an analysis of the data collected.

• This is achieved through coding of the data in order to develop categories representing themes in the data.

Grounded theory

• Collect data through undertaking interviews• Transcribe the data• Undertake coding of the data• Identify common themes in the data by

reading the transcriptions, listening to the recordings and reading field notes.

Grounded theory

• Label each of the categories• Introduce, describe or define each category• Provide quotations for the data to support

the argument in each category• Discuss and interpret the quotes in relation

to each category and the way it relates to the aims of the research

Example

School improvementIt is very clear from comments made by the head teachers that they are more than able to make the link between the self-evaluation process and school improvement. One head teacher wrote:

Reflection upon practice and systems enables refinement and improvements to take place… [and]…increases understanding of issues affecting improvement and how to raise standards (QT1).

Another believed that one of the benefits of self-evaluation was related to:

Making a strong link with the school improvement plan and target setting process (QT3).

Example continued

For these head teachers, it appears that Ofsted’s insistence that self-evaluation is the key to school improvement and raising standards (Ofsted, 1999, p138) has some support and that it can make a contribution to development needs rather than simply being focused on an accountability agenda.

Grounded theory

• The discussion and conclusion should bring together the different themes and an overall picture of the findings provided for the reader.

• The aim of using this approach is to develop an explanation – is to make sense – of the issues you are studying or investigating.

• The data is not pre-structured – it emerges as the research progresses.

• The data is structured after it is collected.