D annan a simple guide to resarch writing indd

Grounded theory
 
Grounded theory can be defined as a step-by-step methodology in the social sciences that 
involves the construction of differentiated theories through gathering methods and analysis 
of the data. The use of grounded theory methodology as a research strategy remains 
minimal partly because of the bias of favouring deductive and quantitative approaches and 
partly because of a critical view that some researchers have of the grounded theory 
methodology.
Grounded theory has as its basic tenet view that theory must be inductively derived from 
the data. The theory, in short, must emerge from and be grounded in data.
• Data collection, analysis and theory formulating are regarded as reciprocally related.
• The emergent theory should account for the phenomenon that is relevant and 
problematic for those involved.
• Data collection and analysis are fused deliberately, and the initial data analysis can 
be used to shape continuous data collection.
• Interweaving data collection and analysis increases insights and clarifies the
parameters of the emerging theory.
The approach also argues for initial data collection and preliminary analyses to take place 
in advance of consulting and incorporating prior research literature. This is to ensure that 
pre-existing constructs do not shape the current analysis and theory formation.

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Hence, the literature review is purely needed to be underscored but is delayed, not omitted, 
and is regarded as an important part of theory building.
Ethnography
 
Ethnography normally involves the scientific description of people, customs and their culture 
as well as the mutual differences between human beings. Ethnography is not a widely 
used research strategy as it is time consuming and generally requires the researcher to 
immerse himself in the real-life context of interest as a participant observer. Over a period, 
the researcher gathers data and applies an inductive methodology to uncover patterns of 
meaning.