Brief+Review+of+the+Literature

Grounded Theory Method requires a specific treatment of literature that sometimes appears to conflict regular dissertation practices. This page will help Dissertation candidates plan their projects and apply for concept approval in a way that will satisfy the institutional requirements without invalidating the Grounded theory method.

Here are some instructions that give guidance on the required literature review.

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The way that Grounded theory method treats extant literature is a principle concern for those seeking to use GTM for a dissertation. Conventional approaches to knowledge building rely heavily on work that has gone before. Similarly, the dissertation process usually requires people to build upon the existing body of knowledge or to confirm or verify elements of theory discovered by others. However,the process of generating and developing theory is every bit as legitimate and worthy as a dissertation project. Glaser has often discussed the arguments that can be made to dissertation committees to allay concerns about the lack of literature review in a GTM proposal. Although Glaser recommends avoiding a narrow focus on research literature in a substantive area he also recommends that a research read widely from the general field. So a conventional literature review can be conducted, but the GTM researcher should inform the committee of the protocols of GTM respecting literature and the necessity for avoiding the inevitable preconception that could interfere with the GT analysis. 

The following articles discuss the use of the literature review in a classic grounded theory method study.

Dunne, C. (2011). The place of the literature review in grounded theory research. //International Journal of Social Research Methodology//, //14//(2), 111–124. doi:10.1080/13645579.2010.494930

Elliott, N., & Higgins, A. (2012). Surviving grounded theory research method in an academic world: Proposal writing and theoretical frameworks. //Grounded Theory Review//, //11//(2). Retrieved from http://groundedtheoryreview.com/2012/12/07/surviving-grounded-theory-research-method-in-an-academic-world-proposal-writing-and-theoretical-frameworks/

Luckerhoff, J., & Guillemette, F. (2011). The conflicts between grounded theory requirements and institutional requirements for scientific research. //The Qualitative Report//, //16//(2), 396–414.

McCallin, A. (2003). Grappling with the literature in a grounded theory study. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal For The Australian Nursing Profession,, 15(1-2), 61–69. http://personal.crocodoc.com/spc6u59

McGhee, G., Marland, G., & Atkinson, J. (2007). Grounded theory research: literature reviewing and reflexivity. //Journal of Advanced Nursing//, //60//(3), 334–342. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04436.x

Walls, P., Parahoo, K., & Fleming, P. (2010). The role and place of knowledge and literature in grounded theory. //Nurse Researcher//, //17//(4), 8–17.