Comment 1

Difference Between Grounded Theory and Ethnography

Definition

Grounded theory and ethnography are two qualitative research  methodologies. Grounded theory, developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, is a methodology that involves developing theory through the analysis of data. Ethnography is the systematic study of a culture or community. The main difference between grounded theory and ethnography is their purpose; grounded theory aims at developing theories whereas ethnography aims at exploring and understanding a particular culture or community (Hasa,2017).  

Grounded Theory: Grounded theory is a methodology that involves developing theory through the analysis of data.

Ethnography: Ethnography is the detailed and systematic study of people and cultures.

Purpose

Grounded Theory: Grounded theory aims to develop theories in relation to the collected data.  

Ethnography: Ethnography aims to understand a particular culture or community.  

Review of Literature

Grounded Theory: Researchers do not consult literature before analyzing data since it may influence their findings. 

Ethnography: Ethnographers can consult literature before starting the field work.

Sampling

Grounded Theory:Theoretical sampling technique is used since it assists in developing theory.

Ethnography:Purposive sampling method is used since the study emphasizes on a particular aspect of culture.

Similarities between Grounded Theory and Ethnography

Firstly, in both methodologies, the researcher studies the phenomenon in its natural context and uses a holistic approach to study the phenomenon .

Secondly, in both the methodologies more than one data collected approach is adopted as it helps the researcher in providing multiple interpretations and also enhances the accuracy and credibility of the research study(Datt,2014).

The third similarity between the two methodologies is that; the researcher presents the reports from the perspective of participant who have experienced the phenomenon in the natural setting. Excerpts from the interviews, stories of participants are added to the report which enhances the overall richness of the research findings.

Comment 2

Three types of qualitative research include phenomenological, grounded theory, and ethnographic research. Phenomenological research attempts to examine how people perceive and comprehend a particular situation. The information can only be collected from individuals who have lived through the experience. Grounded theory research is based on symbolic reaction theory where it is used to discover problems that exist in a social scene and how the person views or deals with them. It involves formulation, testing, and redevelopment until a theory is developed. In spite of the differences, all of these approaches share the focus of phenomenology, which is exploring how human beings make sense of experience and the meaning they give to these experiences. Phenomenology is being used in the social and human sciences including sociology, education, psychology, nursing and health sciences (Creswell, 2007).

Similarities                                                                                                                                                           Phenomenology and grounded theory studies have many similarities. The researchers explore real life situations and require a high degree of interaction between the researcher and the individual, groups or situations being examined. Both grounded theorists and phenomenologists seek to collect and analyses data from participants’ perspectives and try to ensure their findings are not influenced by preconceived ideas. To achieve this, they often involve participants in data analysis to increase the trustworthiness of the findings. In brief, grounded theorists and phenomenologists both seek to explore individuals’ experiences in the context of the worlds in which they live.

Differences                                                                                                                                                       Phenomenology and grounded theory studies have many differences Phenomenology emerged from philosophy, primarily influenced by Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger; it aims to describe and explore experiences, which can only be done by collecting data from individuals who have lived through those experiences. Hence phenomenologists often refer to the lived experience and data is often limited to interviews, while findings are reported as a rich description of the experience drawing on characteristics identified during data analysis (Ploeg, 2004). Grounded theory was developed in sociology, and was first described by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss as a qualitative methodological approach in which the aim was to generate a grounded theory, to describe and explain the phenomenon under study. Unlike phenomenologists, grounded theorists seek to include all data sources that might contribute to theory development.

Comment 1

Qualitative research is used to record data that is not in the form of numbers such as opinions, feelings, and experiences; quantitative research is used to measure data in the form of numbers. Qualitative research uses observation as the data collection method (Clark & Veale, 2018). Qualitative research lacks standardization and some data might have been recorded as notes or on tapes. The researchers must use this data to formulate words. Because qualitative data are presented as words from participant observation field notes, interview transcripts, journals, documents, and literature, thematic analyses with coding and sorting techniques commonly are conducted. Qualitative analysis inevitably involves breaking the data up and coding different segments. Increasingly, researchers use software packages to assist in managing data (Gerrish & Lacey, 2013).

Comment 2

Qualitative research refers to a method of inquiry in which the researcher, acting as data collection instrument, seeks to answer questions about how or why a particular phenomenon occurs. Questions regarding of what a phenomenon is comprised may also guide qualitative research. The most fundamental assumption underlying qualitative research is that reality is something socially constructed on an individual basis. Varied methods of qualitative research exist. Examples of qualitative methods employed in nursing research include Qualitative research refers to a method of inquiry in which the researcher, acting as grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography, and qualitative description (Miller, 2010). Each method has its own assumptions and purposes and an appropriate method is chosen based on the research question. An example would be, a researcher investigating the process involved in the occurrence of a phenomenon would likely choose grounded theory, while a researcher interested in the meaning of the phenomenon would utilize phenomenology (Miller, 2010). Regardless of method, participants are purposefully enrolled based on their familiarity with the phenomenon. Researchers can organize data by collecting the data through interviews, observations, or document/photograph review. Data can be organized in a manner which best answers the research question. Importantly, the objective of qualitative research is not the accumulation of information, but the growth of understanding about phenomena of concern to nursing.