Dealing with the risk of over-interpreting or under-interpreting qualitative data- the grounded theory approach
08/09/2022
What is the real reason that makes us happy? It’s not our salary or our business’ balance sheet numbers, it’s our environment, our relationships, and other personal or professional reasons. Now, identifying and analyzing this data is qualitative data basically. Now, what is the guarantee that the gathered data is correct? Suppose even if we interview some person, what is the guarantee that the person has provided us with the correct data? That is the risk of over-interpreting or under-interpreting qualitative data. In this blog, we will deal with the risk of over-interpreting or under-interpreting qualitative data by using a grounded theory approach. Now, let us know qualitative data so that we can easily understand this topic.
Qualitative data is non-numerical information that can be collected through methods such as interviews, focus groups, observations, and written or visual materials. It is used to understand and describe the characteristics of a particular group or phenomenon and can provide insight into people’s attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and motivations. Examples of qualitative data include transcripts of interviews, field notes from observations, and written responses to open-ended survey questions.
Understanding the grounded theory approach
Grounded theory is a research method that is used to generate a theory that explains a phenomenon by analyzing data collected from a variety of sources. The theory that is developed is “grounded” in the data, meaning that it is directly derived from the data and is not imposed on the data. The grounded theory approach is commonly used in the social sciences and is particularly popular in the field of sociology.
The grounded theory approach typically involves several phases, including:
1. Data collection: Data is collected from a variety of sources, such as interviews, observations, and written materials.
2. Data analysis: The data is analyzed and coded in order to identify patterns and themes.
3. Theory development: A theory is developed that explains the phenomenon being studied and is supported by the data.
4. The grounded theory: The approach is often used when there is little existing theory on a topic and when the researcher wants to understand a phenomenon from the perspective of the people experiencing it.
Identifying and resolving the risk of over-interpreting or under-interpreting qualitative data by using the grounded theory approach
Grounded theory is a widely used approach for analyzing qualitative data that can help researchers avoid the risk of over-interpreting or under-interpreting the data.
To identify and resolve the risk of over-interpreting, researchers using grounded theory should follow the guidelines of the constant comparative method, which involves comparing data within and across cases to identify patterns and themes. This approach helps researchers to generate a theory that is grounded in the data, rather than imposing preconceived ideas or theories on the data.
To avoid under-interpreting, researchers should use open coding to identify patterns and themes in the data, and then use axial and selective coding to connect these patterns and themes to broader theoretical concepts. Additionally, researchers should use theoretical sampling to guide data collection and analysis, to ensure that they are collecting data that is relevant to the emerging theory.
It’s also important to mention that another key aspect of grounded theory is memoization, which allows the researcher to document their thoughts and ideas as they are analyzing the data; this will help in reflective practice and can help identify a researcher’s own biases.
The grounded theory portrays an essential role in reducing the risk of over-interpreting or under-interpreting qualitative data. We, at fivevidya, can help you to deal with the risk at an affordable price. Furthermore, we will also teach you how to practically deal with the risk in the future if you require it. Please visit our website https://www.fivevidya.com/.
