Adopting a constructivist approach to grounded theory: implications for research design.
Grounded theory is a popular research methodology that is evolving to account for a range of ontological and epistemological underpinnings. Constructivist grounded theory has its foundations in relativism and an appreciation of the multiple truths and realities of subjectivism. Undertaking a constructivist enquiry requires the adoption of a position of mutuality between researcher and participant in the research process, which necessitates a rethinking of the grounded theorist's traditional role of objective observer. Key issues for constructivist grounded theorists to consider in designing their research studies are discussed in relation to developing a partnership with participants that enables a mutual construction of meaning during interviews and a meaningful reconstruction of their stories into a grounded theory model.
Mills
Jane
J
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gippsland Campus, Monash University, Smithfield, Queensland, Australia. jane.e.mills@bigpond.com
Bonner
Ann
A
Francis
Karen
K
D000043:Abstracting and Indexing; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D028781:Ethical Relativism; D019513:Feminism; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019359:Knowledge; D033262:Narration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D033302:Postmodernism; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D035844:Researcher-Subject Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013850:Thinking; D014956:Writing