Achora Susan, Matua Gerald Amandu
College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
Nurse Res. 2016 Jul;23(6):31-6. doi: 10.7748/nr.2016.e1409.
To suggest important methodological considerations when using grounded theory.
A research method widely used in nursing research is grounded theory, at the centre of which is theory construction. However, researchers still struggle with some of its methodological issues.
Although grounded theory is widely used to study and explain issues in nursing practice, many researchers are still failing to adhere to its rigorous standards. Researchers should articulate the focus of their investigations - the substantive area of interest as well as the focal population. This should be followed by a succinct explanation of the strategies used to collect and analyse data, supported by clear coding processes. Finally, the resolution of the core issues, including the core category and related categories, should be explained to advance readers' understanding.
Researchers should endeavour to understand the tenets of grounded theory. This enables 'neophytes' in particular to make methodological decisions that will improve their studies' rigour and fit with grounded theory.
This paper complements the current dialogue on improving the understanding of grounded theory methodology in nursing research. The paper also suggests important procedural decisions researchers need to make to preserve their studies' scientific merit and fit with grounded theory.
提出运用扎根理论时重要的方法学考量。
扎根理论是护理研究中广泛使用的一种研究方法，其核心是理论构建。然而，研究人员仍在其一些方法学问题上存在困扰。
尽管扎根理论被广泛用于研究和解释护理实践中的问题，但许多研究人员仍未遵循其严格标准。研究人员应阐明其调查重点——感兴趣的实质性领域以及目标人群。接下来，应简洁解释用于收集和分析数据的策略，并辅以清晰的编码过程。最后，应解释核心问题的解决方法，包括核心类别和相关类别，以增进读者的理解。
研究人员应努力理解扎根理论的原则。这尤其能使“新手”做出有助于提高研究严谨性并符合扎根理论的方法学决策。
本文补充了当前关于增进对护理研究中扎根理论方法理解的讨论。本文还提出了研究人员为保持研究的科学价值并符合扎根理论而需要做出的重要程序决策。
