Grounded Theory Methodologies – Comparing Glaser & Strauss with Charmazs Constructivist Approach
Grounded Theory Methodology
Grounded theory is a qualitative research methodology that involves systematically generating theory from data (Polit & Beck, 2021; Tie et al., 2019). The original grounded theory methodology was developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in the 1960s. Constructivist grounded theory, proposed by Kathy Charmaz, emerged later as an alternative approach. The main difference between the two lies in their underlying epistemological perspectives. Glaser and Strauss’s grounded theory takes a more positivist stance, aiming to discover an objective reality “out there” in the data. In contrast, Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory aligns with a relativist epistemology, acknowledging that data and theories are co-constructed by researchers and research participants within specific contexts and relationships.
In classical grounded theory, the researcher is seen as an objective observer who discovers theories inherent in the data through systematic coding and constant comparative analysis. Constructivist grounded theory, however, views the researcher as an active co-constructor of data and theories, inevitably shaped by their own perspectives, values, and interactions with participants.
Phenomenology
Phenomenology is a qualitative research approach that aims to understand the lived experiences and subjective meanings of phenomena as individuals perceive them. There are two main approaches: descriptive phenomenology and interpretive phenomenology. Descriptive phenomenology, rooted in the work of Edmund Husserl, seeks to describe the essential structure of a lived experience by suspending all presuppositions and biases (“bracketing”). The objective is to record phenomena as they occur in awareness without interpretation or explanation.
Per Heidegger, interpretive phenomenology focuses on discovering the meaning of everyday phenomena (Neubauer et al., 2019; Polit & Beck, 2021). While engaged in interpreting and understanding the phenomena, interpretative phenomenologists use their own pre-understanding rather than bracketing them.
Descriptive phenomenology, for example, may assist in the description of such phenomena as pain, anxiety, and caring, while hermeneutic interpretative phenomenology can assist in providing meaning and context of experiences.
Critical Social Theory versus Feminist Theory
Critical social theory (CST) and feminist theory (FT) might be applied to qualitative nursing research. CS proposes to challenge and transform oppressive structures, relations, and discourses of power that underpin the domination of some people over others (Collins et al., 2021). In nursing research, CST may help to understand how social, political, and economic factors shape/influence access to healthcare, healthcare outcomes, or healthcare experiences.
FT encompasses analysis of gendered subordination, patriarchy, and exclusion of women in society. It may help frame nursing studies on gendered health/illness, healthcare delivery and utilization, and the roles and experiences of women as nurses and patients.
CST and FT can be combined with GT, phenomenology, or ethnography to investigate how institution society, power relations, and gender influence healthcare, nursing, and health promotion. These theoretical frameworks may help formulate research questions, data collection, and analysis based on power, oppression, and marginalization.
Participatory Action Research (PAR)
PAR is a type of qualitative research that aims to enhance well-being through partnership with research and action (Vaughn & Jacquez, 2020). PAR allows community members and stakeholders to be involved in the study, from problem identification, data collection, and analysis to developing solutions that will be implemented. It involves thinking, doing, and evaluating the activities to be undertaken.
PAR’s foundation is participatory democracy, social justice, and user engagement. It involves and empowers community people rather than using them as research subjects or collecting samples, thus questioning a research hierarchy of power. PAR may be adopted in nursing research involving community members, patients, nurses, and other healthcare workers to tackle health issues. PAR might be used to provide culturally appropriate treatments, enhance healthcare access and delivery, or increase health equality for marginalized groups.
References
Collins, P. H., da Silva, E. C. G., Ergun, E., Furseth, I., Bond, K. D., & Martínez-Palacios, J. (2021). Intersectionality as critical social theory. Contemporary Political Theory, 20(3), 690–725. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41296-021-00490-0
Neubauer, B., Witkop, C., & Varpio, L. (2019). How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others. Perspectives on Medical Education, 8(2), 90–97. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-019-0509-2
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2021). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer.
Tie, Y. C., Birks, M., & Francis, K. (2019). Grounded theory research: A design framework for novice researchers. SAGE Open Medicine, 7(1), 1–8. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118822927
Vaughn, L. M., & Jacquez, F. (2020). Participatory research methods – Choice points in the research process. Journal of Participatory Research Methods, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.35844/
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Question 
Grounded Theory Methodology (Compare/contrast Grounded Theory methodology developed by Glaser & Strauss to Constructivist Grounded Theory proposed by Charmaz)
Grounded Theory Methodologies – Comparing Glaser & Strauss with Charmazs Constructivist Approach
Phenomenology (Compare Descriptive Phenomenology (Husserl) to Interpretive Phenomenology (Heidegger).
Social vs Feminist Theory (Explain how Critical Social Theory and Feminist Theory may be applied to various methodologies and explain the purpose of using either/both of these theories?)
Participative Active Research (What is Participative Active Research?)