Putting the ‘theory’ back into grounded theory: guidelines for grounded theory studies in information systems
Open accessAbstract
Over the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the use of grounded theory in information systems research. Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that seeks to develop theory that is grounded in data systematically gathered and analysed. The purpose of this paper is to suggest guidelines for grounded theory studies in information systems. Our guidelines are based on a framework for theorizing in grounded theory studies that focuses on conceptualization and theory scope. Our hope is that the guidelines will help to raise the quality and aspirations of grounded theory studies in information systems.
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Researchers in Information Systems have lamented that the term 'grounded theory' itself has almost become a blanket term for a way of coding data.
“Researchers in Information Systems (which has considerable overlap with software engineering) have lamented that 'the term 'grounded theory' itself has almost become a blanket term for a way of coding data' [75].”
From Grounded theory in software engineering research: a critical review and guidelines (2016) · cites this paper as [75]
To increase the generalisability of the theory, clustering, theoretical coding, theoretical sorting, and diagramming were used to organise codes and memos visually and test possible relationships between codes.
“To increase the generalisability of our theory, what Urquhart et al. (2010, p. 372) refer to as ‘scaling up the theory’, we used a combination of clustering (Charmaz 2014), theoretical coding (Charmaz 2014; Urquhart 2022), theoretical sorting (Charmaz 2014), and diagramming (Charmaz 2014; Urquhart 2022) to organise the codes and memos visually and tested various possible relationships between the”
From Content Creators Between Platform Control and User Autonomy: The Role of Algorithms and Revenue Sharing (2023) · cites this paper as Urquhart et al. 2010
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“Several more books and articles by the co-originators followed, which developed and later debated the method (Glaser, 1978; 1992; 1995; 1998; 1999; 2001; Strauss, 1987; Strauss & Corbin, 1990; 1994; 1997).”
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Wang, Y., Kung, L., Wang, W. Y. C., & Cegielski, C. G. (2018) · Information & Management · doi:10.1016/j.im.2017.04.001 · Cited by 508 · see citing works
Grounded theory in software engineering research: a critical review and guidelines
Stol, K.-J., Ralph, P., & Fitzgerald, B. (2016) · Proceedings of the 38th International Conference on Software Engineering · doi:10.1145/2884781.2884833 · Cited by 470 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Urquhart, C., Lehmann, H., & Myers, M. D.
- Affiliations
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Urquhart, Cathy
- Lehmann, Hans
- Myers, Michael D.
- Venue
- Information Systems Journal
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-06-08
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 357-381
- ISSN
- 1350-1917 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2575
- OpenAlex
- W2132250213
- Cited by
- 841
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 70 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 60 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 62 · 2013: 65 · 2012: 46
- FWCI
- 120.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- dspace.lboro.ac.uk
- Licence
- Locations
- Information Systems Journal (publishedVersion)
- Loughborough University Institutional Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- e-space (Manchester Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion)
- Loughborough University Research Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- ResearchSpace (University of Auckland) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Information Systems Theories and Implementation
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Business Strategies and Management Research
- Keywords
- grounded theory, information systems research, qualitative research methodology, theory development, conceptualization, research guidelines
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