Grounded theory method, part II: options for users of the method
Abstract
Grounded theory method, part two: options for users of the method Era‐specific issues are presented for the consideration of the potential grounded theorist. Two of die issues are general to grounded theory mediod, while die otiier four assist in clarifying aspects relevant to die selection of a specific mode of die mediod. Five broad options regarding multiple possible modes of grounded dieory method are suggested and detailed. The inquirer is not limited to the two major modes usually presented and discussed in die literature. Users of the mediod are challenged to continue contributing to die development of die mediod, while justifying and debating mediodological modifications.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
GGT is closer to the postpositivism paradigm, relating to critical realism ontologically, modified objectivist epistemology, and methodologically discovers theory.
“GGT is closer to the postpositivism paradigm that relates to critical realism ontologically, modified objectivist epistemology, and methodologically discovers theory [Annells, 1997; Devadas et al., 2011).”
From Glaserian Grounded Theory and Straussian Grounded Theory: Two Standard Qualitative Research Approaches in Social Science (2023) · cites this paper as Annells, 1997
GGT identifies ontologically and modifies objectivist epistemology, and methodologically discovers theory by verifying it using sequential research.
“Glaserian grounded theory (GGT) identifies ontologically and modifies objectivist epistemology, and then methodologically discovers theory by verifying it using sequential research.”
From Glaserian Grounded Theory and Straussian Grounded Theory: Two Standard Qualitative Research Approaches in Social Science (2023) · cites this paper as Annells, 1997
Straussian GT aims to produce a theory that fits the situation, aids understanding, and guides action and practice.
“It aims to produce a theory that fits the situation, aids understanding and guides action and practice [Corbin & Strauss, 2008; Annells, 1997].”
From Glaserian Grounded Theory and Straussian Grounded Theory: Two Standard Qualitative Research Approaches in Social Science (2023) · cites this paper as Annells, 1997
SGT prefers to be called constructivists, is relativist ontologically, subjectivist epistemologically, recognizes the interactive nature of inquirer and participants, and is placed in a constructivist paradigm of inquiry.
“But SGT prefers it to be called ' constructivists ' and shaped it as relativist ontologically, subjectivist epistemologically, has recognized the interactive nature of the inquirer and the participants, and has placed it in a constructivist paradigm of inquiry [Annells, 1997].”
From Glaserian Grounded Theory and Straussian Grounded Theory: Two Standard Qualitative Research Approaches in Social Science (2023) · cites this paper as Annells, 1997
Straussian GT reflects a shift toward social constructivist ontology and postmodernism that is more compatible with current thinking.
“Straussian GT reflects a shift toward social constructivist ontology and postmodernism that is more compatible with current thinking.”
From Glaserian Grounded Theory and Straussian Grounded Theory: Two Standard Qualitative Research Approaches in Social Science (2023) · cites this paper as Annells, 1997
Cites
The Discovery of Grounded Theory; Strategies for Qualitative Research
Glaser, B. G., Strauss, A. L., & Strutzel, E. (1968) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/00006199-196807000-00014 · Cited by 39,449 · see citing works
Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques
Long, D. R., Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. M. (1993) · Modern Language Journal · doi:10.2307/328955 · Cited by 17,612 · see citing works
Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria
Corbin, J. M., & Strauss, A. (1990) · Qualitative Sociology · doi:10.1007/bf00988593 · Cited by 11,133 · see citing works
Handbook of Qualitative Research.
DeVault, M. L., Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1995) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2076551 · Cited by 6,261 · see citing works
(1978) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 6,077 · see citing works
Handbook of Qualitative Research
Londoño Fernández, J. L. (1994) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(05)80230-0 · Cited by 5,754 · see citing works
Critical Issues in Qualitative Research Methods.
Russell, C. K., & Morse, J. M. (1994) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2076454 · Cited by 2,232 · see citing works
Nursing Research: A Qualitative Perspective
Stone, R. A. (1987) · AORN Journal · doi:10.1016/s0001-2092(07)66432-1 · Cited by 599 · see citing works
Continual Permutations of Action.
Couch, C. J., & Strauss, A. L. (1994) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2076102 · Cited by 560 · see citing works
Grounded Theory Method: Philosophical Perspectives, Paradigm of Inquiry, and Postmodernism
Annells, M. (1996) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/104973239600600306 · Cited by 500 · see citing works
Self-citationIssues in phenomenology for researchers of nursing
Jasper, M. A. (1994) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.1994.tb01085.x · Cited by 283 · see citing works
Grounded Theory and Nursing Knowledge
Benoliel, J. Q. (1996) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/104973239600600308 · Cited by 276 · see citing works
Wuest, J. (1995) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/104973239500500109 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Beyond method: Strategies for social research
Roberts, N. (1984) · Social Science Information Studies · doi:10.1016/0143-6236(84)90008-5 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Advancing nursing science through research
Moody, L. E. (1990) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Analytic Ordering for Theoretical Purposes
Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (1996) · Qualitative Inquiry · doi:10.1177/107780049600200201 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Grounded theory method, part I: within the five moments of qualitative research
Annells, M. (1997) · Nursing Inquiry · doi:10.1111/j.1440-1800.1997.tb00085.x · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Nature of Scientific Truth
Packard, S. A., & Polifroni, E. C. (1992) · Nursing Science Quarterly · doi:10.1177/089431849200500407 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The Development of Constructivist Grounded Theory
Mills, J., Bonner, A., & Francis, K. (2006) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/160940690600500103 · Cited by 1,678 · see citing works
“Discussing the position of Charmaz‟s form of constructivist grounded theory, Annells (1997c) has suggested that it applies the strategies of traditional grounded theory within a constructivist paradigm thus rejecting notions of emergence and objectivity.”
BackgroundInfluentialDeveloping a grounded theory approach: a comparison of Glaser and Strauss
Heath, H., & Cowley, S. (2004) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/s0020-7489(03)00113-5 · Cited by 837 · see citing works
Paradigms, praxis, problems, and promise: Grounded theory in counseling psychology research.
Fassinger, R. E. (2005) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.156 · Cited by 643 · see citing works
Triangulation of qualitative approaches: hermeneutical phenomenology and grounded theory
Annells, M. (2006) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03979.x · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Self-citationLomborg, K., & Kirkevold, M. (2003) · Nursing Philosophy · doi:10.1046/j.1466-769x.2003.00139.x · Cited by 159 · see citing works
‘Finding home’: a grounded theory on how older people ‘find home’ in long‐term care settings
Cooney, A. (2011) · International Journal of Older People Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1748-3743.2011.00278.x · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Designing a grounded theory study: some practicalities
McCallin, A. M. (2003) · Nursing in Critical Care · doi:10.1046/j.1362-1017.2003.00033.x · Cited by 146 · see citing works
The Methodological Dynamism of Grounded Theory
Ralph, N., Birks, M., & Chapman, Y. (2015) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/1609406915611576 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Classic Grounded Theory to Analyse Secondary Data: Reality and Reflections
Andrews, L., Higgins, A., Andrews, M. W., & Lalor, J. (2012) · The grounded theory review · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Grounded theory: a qualitative research methodology for physical therapy
Mellion, L. R., & Tovin, M. M. (2002) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593980290058490 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Grounded theory as a method for research in speech and language therapy
Skeat, J., & Perry, A. R. (2008) · International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders · doi:10.1080/13682820701437245 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“I Look Across From Me and I See Me”
Wood, L. (2016) · Violence Against Women · doi:10.1177/1077801216641518 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Ball, C., & Cox, C. L. (2003) · International Journal of Nursing Practice · doi:10.1046/j.1440-172x.2003.00444.x · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Reflections on the Sexual Agency of Young Women in a Low-Income Rural South African Community
Lesch, E., & Kruger, L. (2004) · South African Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1177/008124630403400308 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Premier University, Mohajan, H. K., & Mohajan, D. (2023) · Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People · doi:10.26458/jedep.v12i1.794 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Hemmati, R., & Mahdie, A. (2019) · Studies in Higher Education · doi:10.1080/03075079.2019.1576164 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Generating or developing grounded theory: methods to understand health and illness
Woods, P. S., Gapp, R., & King, M. A. (2016) · International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy · doi:10.1007/s11096-016-0260-2 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Keesing, S., Rosenwax, L. K., & McNamara, B. A. (2011) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2524.2011.01005.x · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Nursing contribution to the rehabilitation of older patients: patient and family perspectives
Tyrrell, E. F., Levack, W., Ritchie, L., & Keeling, S. (2012) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.05944.x · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Spijker, A., Verhey, F. R. J., Graff, M. J. L., Grol, R. P. T. M., Adang, E., Wollersheim, H. C. H., & Vernooij-Dassen, M. J. F. J. (2009) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/1471-2318-9-21 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Exploring the experiences of nurses studying professional doctorates
Baldwin, S. (2013) · British Journal of Nursing · doi:10.12968/bjon.2013.22.8.476 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
An investigation of the reality of nursing work with orthopaedic patients
Santy‐Tomlinson, J. (2001) · Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing · doi:10.1054/joon.2000.0134 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Kling, H. E., Yang, X., Messiah, S. E., Arheart, K. L., Brannan, D., & Caban-Martinez, A. J. (2016) · Preventing Chronic Disease · doi:10.5888/pcd13.160111 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Becoming deaf‐blind: Negotiating a place in a hostile world
Schneider, J. M. (2006) · Australian Occupational Therapy Journal · doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2006.00587.x · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Ashry, N. Y., & Taylor, W. A. (2005) · Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) · doi:10.1109/hicss.2000.926805 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Arunthari, S. (2005) · Research Online (University of Wollongong) · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Huang, X., Yen, W., Liu, S., & Lin, C. (2008) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02110.x · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Berg, D. H. (2003) · University Library - University of Saskatchewan (University of Saskatchewan) · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Jørgensen, L. B., Dahl, R., Pedersen, P. U., & Lomborg, K. E. (2012) · Journal of research in nursing · doi:10.1177/1744987111427418 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Hutchinson, L., & John, W. S. (2012) · Contemporary Nurse · doi:10.5172/conu.2012.40.2.258 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Herbst, E. (2006) · SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Clinical decision making and therapeutic approaches of experienced osteopaths
Thomson, O. P. (2013) · University of Brighton Repository (University of Brighton) · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Nolas, S. (2011) · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Dr, K., & Julie, M. (2002) · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Kempner, J. (2022) · Holocaust Studies · doi:10.1080/17504902.2022.2058730 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
The feasibility of artificial intelligence performing as CEO: the vizier-shah theory
Ünal, A., & KILINÇ, İ. (2021) · foresight · doi:10.1108/fs-02-2021-0048 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Public participation in Integrated Water Management: A Wicked Process for a Complex Societal Problem
Rault, K., & Ange, P. (2008) · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Revisitando la crítica a la teoría fundamentada
Gómez, E. E. (2013) · POLIANTEA · doi:10.15765/plnt.v7i12.153 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Youth and the new media: constructing meaning and identity in networked spaces
Zemmels, D. R. (2012) · doi:10.26053/0h-rxzq-zp00 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Ritchie, L. (2001) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/104973201129119046 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Mlambo, Y. A. (2017) · ProQuest LLC eBooks · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Larcombe, J. (2012) · Durham e-Theses (Durham University) · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Rahn, A., Bennett, C., Lykins, A. D., & Jones, T. M. (2018) · RUNE (Research UNE) · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Imagining in the spatial design process
McAuliffe, M. B. (2013) · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Wood, L. (2014) · IUScholarWorks (Indiana University) · doi:10.7912/c2/1197 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Fei, F. (2007) · The University of Bath Online Publications Store (The University of Bath) · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Wilkinson, G. M. (2008) · NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Ondrusek, N. K. (2010) · TSpace (University of Toronto) · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Somali male refugees: Perceptions of depression and help-seeking
Rae, S. (2014) · UEL Research Repository (University of East London) · doi:10.15123/pub.4181 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Engaging with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a grounded theory approach
Alberts, N. W. (2009) · Unisa Institutional Repository (University of South Africa) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Normalizing: Adolescent Experiences in Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Babler, E. K. (2013) · ResearchWorks at the University of Washington (University of Washington) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Revisitando la crítica a la teoría fundamentada (grounded theory)
Gómez, E. E. (2011) · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kwanjai, N. N. (2011) · doi:10.26481/dis.20110217nk · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Klein, M. L. (2014) · ProQuest Demo Repository · doi:10.25772/r9t5-v313 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Embodied renegotiation: Redefining male body image through yoga in Korea.
Kim, J., & Heo, J. (2026) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102035 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Waiting to be Cinderella’d?: Attitudes on Class Differences Among Women
Wood, L., Hostetter, C., & Sullenberger, S. W. (2014) · Advances in Social Work · doi:10.18060/16627 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Chronic low back pain and the construction of illness identities in women from Kuwait
Abdal, N. (2016) · Manual Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.math.2016.05.205 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Holding momentum : a grounded theory study of older persons sustaining living at home
Hatcher, D. (2010) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Teoría fundamentada y la investigación en criminología
Gómez, E. E. (2011) · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
A Grounded Theory of Sustainability in Canada's Nonprofit Sector
Seel, K. (2006) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Systematic care for caregivers of people with dementia in community mental health services
Spijker, G. J. A. A. (2013) · Radboud Repository (Radboud University) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Holloway, G. (2016) · Open Access at Essex (University of Essex) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Jeggels, J. D. (2006) · University of the Western Cape Electronic Theses and Dissertations Repository (University of the Western Cape) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Jack, R. H. (2012) · OpenGrey (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Samuriwo, R. (2011) · OpenGrey (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The Illusion of Choice: Mothers' Persistent Optimizing to Feed Their Preschool Children
Walsh, A. (2012) · Library and Archives Canada (Government of Canada)
An investigation of the internal corporate factors of organizational learning and innovation
Jayanti, E. B. (2013) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota)
Perrett, S. E. (2009) · Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University)
Jørgensen, L. B., Dahl, R., Pedersen, P. U., & Lomborg, K. E. (2012)
Understanding Emergency Nurses' experiences of moral distress
White, G. (2016) · ARAN (University of Galway Research Repository) (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway) · doi:10.13025/17046
Vine, K. D. (2006) · Nursing Standard · doi:10.7748/ns.20.22.69.s54
A Grounded Theory Study of Older Persons Sustaining Living at Home
Hatcher, D. (2010)
A Frame-Based Theory of Information Behavior: A Grounded Theory Study
Naumer, C. M. (2012) · ResearchWorks at the University of Washington (University of Washington)
Dumpilo, E. A. A. (2014) · Ritsumeikan Academic Repository (R-Cube) (Ritsumeikan University) · doi:10.34382/00011876
Section 1: Setting the Context
Biin, D., Canada, D., Chenoweth, J. M., & Neel, L.-A. (2021)
La rigueur en théorisation ancrée : une expérience doctorale
Mohand, M. S., Maltais, N., Genest, C., & Rassy, J. (2023) · Recherches qualitatives · doi:10.7202/1100244ar
Taşdizen, B. (2025) · Nitel Sosyal Bilimler · doi:10.47105/nsb.1767436
- Authors
- Annells, M.
- Affiliations
- Flinders University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Annells, Merilyn
- Venue
- Nursing Inquiry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1997-09
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 176-180
- ISSN
- 1320-7881 (ISSN-L)
- 1440-1800
- OpenAlex
- W2061093146
- Cited by
- 76
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nursing Inquiry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Methodologies in Health Research and Practice
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Business Strategies and Management Research
- Keywords
- grounded theory, method development, qualitative research methodology, nursing research
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Philosophy, Nursing, Research Design, Reproducibility of Results, Nursing Methodology Research
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
