Open AccessNetworked Grounded Theory
Author(s) -
Alexios Brailas
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1270
Subject(s) - grounded theory , qualitative research , computer science , process (computing) , theory , actor–network theory , network theory , focus group , knowledge management , sociology , social science , statistics , mathematics , anthropology , programming language , operating system
The present paper demonstrates a research method combining Grounded Theory and Network Analysis for the inductive generation of a theory solely based on the empirical data being analyzed. This method was developed during my PhD research on the utilization of a virtual community (case study in Wikipedia) in formal Education institutions (tertiary or secondary education). The focus of this paper is on demonstrating the research method developed during this study. Networked Grounded Theory constitutes a remodeling of Grounded Theory and the rationale for the inclusion of Network Analysis techniques into the process of theory generation is explained. The software used and the steps followed are presented in detail in order to help other researchers to utilize the method or adapt it to meet their own research pursuits.