Qualitative Data Analysis : An introduction

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Qualitative Data Analysis An introduction

• Carol Grbich
• Chapter 23
• Theorising from data

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Theorising

• Key points
• Your choices regarding theorising range from
• Being directed by your chosen theoretical
  underpinnings from the beginning
• Closely following the theoretical underpinnings
  of your method
• Linking your emerging findings to any relevant
  theories/concepts to generate something new
• Minimising theorising (postmodernism

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Theorising

• Four options.
• pre chosen theoretical positions which will drive
  your research and against which you will place
  your findings (theory direction/testing).
• methodological underpinnings e.g Grounded Theory
  has Symbolic Interactionist theory. Phenomenology
  has of philosophical theoretical possibilities
  and Feminist approaches are directed by feminist
  principles.
• researcher choice using a variety of conceptual
  models and theoretical ideas to provide a more
  abstract explanation of your findings and to
  generate some new model/pathway/ theoretical
  proposition (theory generating)
• theory minimisation lies in the postmodern
  tradition where minimal interpretation but
  maximal display of data occurs

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Theory testing v. theory generation

• theory directed starting with and applying an
  existing theoretical frame
• theory generating - drawing on a range of
  relevant theories/concepts from the literature
  and combining these with what is emerging from
  the data to form the basis for new theoretical
  explanations and models of practice.

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what is theory?

• Theory is abstract knowledge which has been
  developed as an account regarding a group of
  facts or phenomena.
• It is derived from the exploration of phenomena,
  the identification of concepts and the
  interrelationships between concepts surrounding
  phenomena from which an explanatory framework can
  be developed.

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levels of theory

• At the micro level theoretical framing is mostly
  provided by the concept
• Concepts are a simple unit of abstract thought
  which identify the common aspects of phenomena.
  E.g power, socialisation, masculinity and
  locus of control.
• Concepts are combined with propositions to form
  the next level up.
• Theories of the middle range are explanations
  with a particular discipline focus such as
  Nursing or Architecture or business.
• Grand theories combine concepts, propositions and
  statements to provide an abstract overview with
  the capacity to be meaningful to a range of
  disciplines and cultures.

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Example of levels of theory

• micro level
• concepts refer to limited aspects of social
  organisation
• e.g. Women carry the burden of care in our
  society
• middle range level
• concepts (gender roles, burden etc) plus
• variables (sex, class) and statements (made up
  of concepts variables)
• e.g. Women of low socio-economic class, as less
  powerful members of the culture, will carry the
  burden of care in some societies.
• grand theory an abstract explanation of the
  uniformities of social behaviour, organisation
  and change comprising
• definitions, concepts, variables, statements and
  theoretical constructs
• e.g. a Marxist analysis
• In capitalist societies, womens powerless
  lower class position will ensure they always have
  lower status work. Strong socialisation into
  nurturing roles means they will continue to be
  unwaged domestic slaves.

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