What characterizes grounded theory in qualitative research?

Grounded theory is distinctly characterized by its approach to developing theories directly from the data collected during research. Instead of starting with a hypothesis or relying on existing theories (which would align more with deductive reasoning), grounded theory follows an inductive approach. Researchers immersed in the data allow themes and patterns to emerge organically, leading to the construction of new theories that encapsulate these findings. This emphasis on participant-generated data makes grounded theory particularly valuable in exploring complex social processes and behaviors, as it remains closely tied to the realities of the participants’ experiences.

This focus on data-driven outcomes differentiates it from other methodologies that prioritize pre-existing frameworks or quantitative measures, which are more structured and do not adapt to emerging data.