"Emergence" vs. "Forcing" of Empirical Data? A Crucial Problem of "Grounded Theory" Reconsidered

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Especially novices in qualitative research with the strong desire to adhere to the emergence of categories from the data often experience a certain difficulty: in open coding the search for adequate coding categories can become extremely tedious and a subject of sometimes numerous and endless team sessions.

“Especially novices in qualitative research with the strong desire to adhere to what they see as a basic principle and hallmark of Grounded Theory-the”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In the Discovery book clear advice on how to combine concepts and hypotheses which have emerged from the data with some existing ones that are clearly useful is missing.

“However, in the Discovery book clear advice on how this combination can be pursued is missing.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Much of the later developments of Grounded Theory can be seen as attempts to reconcile the prima facie diverging concepts of emergence and theoretical sensitivity.

“Much of the later developments of Grounded Theory can be seen as attempts to reconcile these prima facie diverging concepts.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The Discovery of Grounded Theory (1967) contains two conflicting understandings of the relation between data and theory: the concept of 'emergence' and the concept of 'theoretical sensitivity'.

“The book which initially established the popularity of GLASER's and STRAUSS' methodological ideas,”

May combine two claims.

If one looks more thoroughly at the conceptual design of STRAUSS' and CORBIN's coding paradigm GLASER's critique seems to be overdrawn: the general theory of action underlying the coding paradigm carries a broad and general understanding of action which is compatible with a wide variety of sociological theories.

“However, if one looks more thoroughly at the conceptual design of STRAUSS' and CORBIN's coding paradigm GLASER's critique seems to be overdrawn: the general theory of action underlying the coding paradigm carries a broad and general understanding of action which is compatible with a wide variety of sociological theories”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

GLASER tried to clarify the concept of Theoretical Sensitivity in an own monograph published in 1978 with the help of the term theoretical coding, a process which he demarcates from substantive coding.

“On the one hand, Barney GLASER tried to clarify the concept of”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Many epistemologically informed social scientists repudiate Grounded Theory after having read writings which seem to reject the trite epistemological fact that there can be no empirical observations unimpregnated by expectations.

“This leads to the fact that many epistemologically informed social scientists repudiate Grounded Theory after having read writings which seem to reject the trite epistemological fact that there can be no empirical observations”

May combine two claims.

One of the most crucial differences between GLASER's and STRAUSS' approaches of Grounded Theory lies in the fact that STRAUSS and CORBIN propose the utilization of a specified theoretical framework based on a certain understanding of human action, whereas GLASER emphasises that coding as a process of combining the analyst's scholarly knowledge and his research knowledge of the substantive fieldhas

“One of the most crucial differences between GLASER's and STRAUSS' approaches of Grounded Theory lies in the fact that STRAUSS and CORBIN propose the utilization of a specified theoretical framework based on a certain understanding of human action, whereas GLASER emphasises that coding as a process of combining”

May combine two claims.

The infeasibility of an inductivist research strategy which demands an empty head cannot only be shown by epistemological arguments, it can also be seen in research practice.

“The infeasibility of an inductivist research strategy which demands an empty head (instead of an”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted).

Following the Discovery book, a crucial measure against the forcing of data into a procrustean bed would be to literally ignore the literature of theory and fact on the area under study.

“Following the Discovery book a crucial measure against the forcing of data into a procrustean bed would be to”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

GLASER and STRAUSS coined the term theoretical sensitivity to denote the researcher's ability to see relevant data, that means to reflect upon empirical data material with the help of theoretical terms.

“GLASER and STRAUSS coined the term”

May combine two claims.

The concept of theoretical coding offers an approach to overcome the inductivism of early Grounded Theory, but its utility for research practice is limited, since it does not clarify how formal and substantial concepts can be meaningfully linked to each other in order to develop empirically grounded theoretical models.

“Thus the concept of theoretical coding offers an approach to overcome the inductivism of early Grounded Theory, but its utility for research practice is limited, since it does not clarify, how formal and substantial concepts can be meaningfully linked to each other in order to develop empirically grounded theoretical models.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Following GLASER's strategy is much more challenging especially for novices since it lacks a readymade conceptual framework like STRAUSS' and CORBIN's coding paradigm.

“However, as has been said before following this strategy is much more challenging esp.for novices since it lacks a readymade conceptual framework like STRAUSS' and CORBIN's coding paradigm.”

May combine two claims.

It is impossible to free empirical observation from all theoretical influence because seeing is a theory-laden undertaking and observation of x is shaped by prior knowledge of x.

“It is impossible to free empirical observation from all theoretical influence since already”

• cites HANSON 1965Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The concepts of theoretical sensitivity, theoretical coding, axial coding and coding paradigms represent important steps in the development of an adequate understanding of how qualitative data can be used in the process of developing theoretical categories.

“Thereby the concepts of”

May combine two claims.

By highlighting the emergence of theoretical concepts from the data GLASER is drawn to exaggerated truth claims: following GLASER the task of empirical research is the discovery of social worlds and facts as they really are.

“By highlighting the”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Both ideas have conflicting implications and are not integrated with each other in the Discovery book.

“Both ideas which have conflicting implications are not integrated with each other in the Discovery book.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Much of GLASER's and STRAUSS' later methodological writings can be understood as attempts to account for the theoryladenness of empirical observation and to bridge the gap between emergence and theoretical sensitivity.

“Much of GLASER's and STRAUSS' later methodological writings can be understood as attempts to account for the”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

GLASER and STRAUSS proposed a general method of comparative analysis which would allow for the emergence of categories from the data as an alternative to the hypothetico-deductive approach in social research.

“GLASER and STRAUSS proposed a”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

In the past decades Grounded Theory has made considerable progress in overcoming the naïve empiricism of the emergence talk.

“In the past decades Grounded Theory has made considerable progress in overcoming the naïve empiricism of the emergence talk.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

These inferences represent a special kind of logical reasoning whose premises are a set of empirical phenomena and whose conclusion is an explanatory hypothesis.

“Instead they represent a special kind of logical reasoning whose premises are a set of empirical phenomena and whose conclusion is an explanatory hypothesis.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Abductive inference often starts from a surprising, anomalous event that cannot be explained on the basis of previous knowledge.

“Often such an”

• cites REICHERTZ 2003 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites PEIRCE 1974/1979, 5.189Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The concept of theoretical sensitivity is not converted into clear cut methodological rules: it remains unclear how a theoretically sensitive researcher can use previous theoretical knowledge to avoid drowning in the data.

“Furthermore, the concept of theoretical sensitivity is not converted into clear cut methodological rules: it remains unclear how a theoretically sensitive researcher can use previous theoretical knowledge to avoid drowning in the data.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Theoretical codes conceptualize how the substantive codes may relate to each other as hypotheses to be integrated into a theory.

“Theoretical codes which researchers always have to have at their disposal”

• cites GLASER 1978Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

In conceptualising the process of theory generation in empirical research often a wrong alternative is established between an inductivist concept and a hypothetico-deductive (H-D) model of theory generation.

“In conceptualising the process of theory generation in empirical research often a wrong alternative is established between an inductivist concept and a hypothetico-deductive (H-D) model of theory generation”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The earliest concepts of hypothetical reasoning were developed by Charles Sanders PEIRCE who described a third form of inference apart from deduction and induction which he called hypothesis or abduction.

“The earliest concepts of hypothetical reasoning were developed by the pragmatist philosopher Charles Sanders PEIRCE who described a third form of inference apart from deduction and induction which he called”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Basic problems of empirically grounded theory construction can be treated much more effectively if one draws on certain results of contemporary philosophical and epistemological discussions and on widely accepted concepts developed in such debates.

“A main argument of this paper is that basic problems of empirically grounded theory construction can be treated much more effectively if one draws on certain results of contemporary philosophical and epistemological discussions and on widely accepted concepts developed in such debates.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The parlance of emergence fulfils the function to legitimise a specific style of research: the emergence talk would not serve the purpose to describe a methodological strategy but would simply offer a way to immunise theories with the help of a methodological rhetoric.

“Thus the suspicion arises that the parlance of”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

From its beginnings the methodology of Grounded Theory has suffered from an inductivist self misunderstanding entailed by some parts of the Discovery book.

“From its beginnings the methodology of Grounded Theory has suffered from an”

May combine two claims.

GLASER's critique points out some existing weaknesses of STRAUSS' concepts but vastly exaggerates the risks of the STRAUSSian approach.

“It will be argued that GLASER's critique points out some existing weaknesses of STRAUSS' concepts but vastly exaggerates the risks of the STRAUSSian approach.”

May combine two claims.

Although the context of discovery always contains elements of intuition and creativity, the generation of a hypothesis can be reconstructed as a reasoned and rational affair.

“Although the context of discovery always contains elements of intuition and creativity, the generation of a hypothesis can be reconstructed as a reasoned and rational affair.”

May combine two claims.

In the most early version of Grounded Theory the advice to employ theoretical sensitivity to identify theoretical relevant phenomena coexists with the idea that theoretical concepts emerge from the data if researchers approach the empirical field with no preconceived theories or hypotheses.

“Consequently, in the most early version of Grounded Theory the advice to employ theoretical sensitivity to identify theoretical relevant phenomena coexists with the idea that theoretical concepts”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Following GLASER's claims any attempt of further examination of the emerged verities becomes superfluous and a falsification of theoretical statements developed from the data simply would be impossible.

“Following such claims any attempt of further examination of the”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The coding paradigm stems from a certain theoretical tradition, which is pragmatist social theory rooted in the works of DEWEY and MEAD.

“One has to be very clear about the fact, however, that the coding paradigm stems from a certain theoretical tradition, which is pragmatist social theory rooted in the works of DEWEY and MEAD.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

GLASER offers an equipment of concepts which are meant to guide the researcher in developing theoretical sensitivity but fails to explain how such terms can be used and combined to describe and explain empirical phenomena.

“Thus GLASER offers an equipment (one dares to say: a hotchpotch) of concepts which are meant to guide the researcher in developing theoretical sensitivity but fails to explain how such terms can be used and combined to describe and explain empirical phenomena.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Empirically grounded theory building starts by making a careful choice among a variety of concepts with diverging theoretical backgrounds after having examined their appropriateness for the investigated phenomena.

“Empirically grounded theory building starts by making a careful choice among a variety of concepts with diverging theoretical backgrounds after having examined their appropriateness for the investigated phenomena.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

In making abductive inferences, researchers depend on previous knowledge that provides the necessary categorical framework for the interpretation, description and explanation of the empirical world under study.

“In making abductive inferences, researchers depend on previous knowledge that provide them with the necessary categorical framework for the interpretation, description and explanation of the empirical world under study.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Experienced researchers with broad knowledge in social theory would benefit from theoretical coding by being able to construct an axis of the developing theory from different schools of thought.

“Experienced researchers with a broad knowledge in social theory would clearly benefit from the advantages of theoretical coding-having at their disposal not only one possible axis of the developing theory but being able to construct such an axis by themselves through the combination of theoretical concepts from different schools of thought.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

By using a heuristic framework as the axis of the developing theory, one proceeds to the construction of categories and propositions with growing empirical content.

“By using such a heuristic framework as the axis of the developing theory one carefully proceeds to the construction of categories and propositions with growing empirical content.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Sticking to a certain theoretical tradition makes it easier to structure data but also carries the risk that concepts are neglected that would suit the data better and yield more interesting insights.

“But one should never forget in this process that sticking to certain theoretical tradition makes it easier to structure the data but also carries the risk that concepts are neglected that would suit the data even better and would yield more interesting insights.”

May combine two claims.

The controversy between Glaser and Strauss boils down to the question whether the researcher uses a well-defined coding paradigm and always looks systematically for certain categories in the data, or whether he or she should employ theoretical codes ad hoc, drawing on a huge fund of coding families.

“Thus the controversy between GLASER and STRAUSS boils down to the question whether the researcher uses a well defined”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The coding paradigm is linked to a certain micro-sociological perspective.

“However, it must not be forgotten that it is linked to a certain micro-sociological perspective.”

May combine two claims.

Sensitizing concepts are useful tools for descriptions but not for predictions.

“Sensitizing concepts are useful tools for descriptions but not for predictions, since their lack of empirical content permits researchers to apply them to a wide array of phenomena.”

• cites BLUMER 1954, p.7 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source