Qualitative research in information systems: consideration of selected theories - Information Systems Foundations: Constructing and Criticising - page 37

Table 4.1. Qualitative theories

Theory Approach Technique

Grounded Theory Discovery of theory;

Data analysis

Categories emerge from data;
Property: attribute of a category

Personal Construct
Theory

Personalised system for
interpreting past experiences

Elicited using the RepGrid:
Elements
Constructs
Elicitation
Laddering

Narrative Inquiry Recounting of personal

experiences

Contextually rich (experienced first-hand)
Temporally bounded (beginning, sequence of events,
ending)
Long interview technique (grand tour questions,
planned prompts, floating prompts)

Grounded theory
Grounded theory is defined as the process for '… the discovery of theory from data
systematically obtained from social research.' (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). As an approach
to research, Grounded theory may be used in two ways. On one hand, it may be used
as a research philosophy. Thus, the researcher approaches a research question with no
a priori research framework or theoretical context. A research question, considered in-
teresting, is posed and data are gathered relative to the question. Subsequent data ana-
lysis, as explained below, is employed to support the researcher's contention about how
the data may be used to respond to the research question. On the other hand, grounded
theory may be used as a technique for analysing data, which involves the process of
constant comparison. The theory suggests that categories and properties are concepts
that are identified by the researcher and evolve from the constant comparing of the data.
A category emerges from the data and may stand by itself as a conceptual element. A
property is an attribute of a category. For example, the category 'Communication' may
have properties of 'written' and 'verbal'. The constant comparison process may support
existing categories or generate new ones. As Glaser and Strauss (1967) put it: 'By com-
paring where the facts are similar or different, we can generate properties of categories
that increase the categories' generality and explanatory power'.
The data analysis process involves three types of coding. First, 'open' coding involves
assigning the data to categories that are identified from the data by the researcher.
Second, 'axial' or 'theoretical' coding involves identifying relationships between the
categories. These relationships support the identification of an overall theoretical
framework. Third, 'selective' coding involves ensuring that all available data are associ-
ated with an emerging category and that core categories are identified to support the
conceptualisation of the theoretical framework. Eventually, a situation of theoretical
saturation is attained where no new categories or properties emerge from the gathering
of further data.
Personal construct theory
Kelly (1955; 1963) developed personal construct theory based upon his work as a clinical
psychologist to help assess his patients' interpersonal relationships. He determined that
individuals would develop a personalised system for dealing with current or future
situations that was based upon their own interpretations of their past experiences.
An individual's personal construct system may be documented using the technique
known as the Role Construct Repertory Test, or RepGrid. '[RepGrids] … provide a way
of doing research into problems … in a more precise, less biased, way than any other