The Genesis, Grounds, and Growth of Constructivist Grounded Theory

This chapter explores the origins of constructivist grounded theory and the points of convergence and divergence between versions of grounded theory. In the decades following publication of The Discovery of Grounded Theory , some researchers claimed using the method simply to legitimize conducting inductive qualitative studies. Grounded theorists begin with inductive data, engage in strategies to foster rigorous analysis, aim to develop theories that account for the data, and value grounded theory studies for informing policy and practice. Perhaps the most telling points of convergence and divergence—turn on whether and to what extent grounded theorists draw on the positivist or pragmatist epistemological foundations of the method. Major differences between grounded theorists and other qualitative researchers have long revolved around the issue of preconceptions. Preconceptions are significant and affect researchers’ analyses. A deep sense of connection with research participants may remain invisible on the surface but ignite the researcher’s passions and pursuits.