sue
the main idea I like about GT is, theoretical sampling. Recently I collected
my data among indigenous people of South India in the hill areas of
Nilgiris. It was very hard for me 'replay' my recorded audio tapes in the
field to see what was there in the data. Because, I didn't have time and
most importantly I did not want to miss my informants. In order to choose my
informants based on 'Theoretical Sampling', I noted down the key points of
my informants and from their I choose my informants. I have also read in
some ethnography literature that ethnographers also follow 'Theoretical
sampling' when they collect their data. If analysis of your data in the
field is your main problem, then you can follow this method.
On using the existing data, yes you can compare and contrast your data with
existing literature or available data.
Thomas
----- Original Message -----
From: Sue Conrad <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 1999 11:18 AM
Subject: Theoretical sampling & Grounded theory
>
> >If theoretical sampling is not possible, can the grounded theory
methodology still be used? Can an alternate pocedure be substituted for
theoretical sampling?
> >
> >A possible example with interview data...
> >
> >Analyse each interview in the order it was collected, prior to moving on
to analysis of the next ...allowing for themes to emerge, and be
conceptualised, before engaging in further analysis.
> >Rather than seeking participants that would further elaborate upon an
emerging theme, the guided data collection is achieved through subsequent
transcripts being analysed with the emergent theme in mind.
> >
> >Such a strategy would by no means be an efficient research practice,
given that some interview transcripts may contribute little if anything to a
given theme. In order to staturate categories, perhaps more data collection
would be required after using all previously collected data.
> >
> >The primary question is: would this practice "force" the data?
> >
> >I recall reading somewhere - one of the Strauss and Corbin publications i
think, that previously collected data can still be used in a grounded theory
study. Does anyone have any comments/suggestions about working with
existing data, and or the above strategy for maintaining some essence of
theoretical sampling ?
> >
> >Regards,
> >
> >Sue
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