A Discussion with Prof Kathy Charmaz on Grounded Theory

Interviewed by Graham R Gibbs at the BPS Qualitative Social Psychology Conference, University of Huddersfield, UK
September 14-16 2013
The discussion focusses on ideas from her book, Constructing Grounded Theory of which a second edition was published in March 2014, a few months after this interview. This second edition elaborates many of the points covered in the discussion.
Charmaz, K (2014) Constructing Grounded Theory. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: SAGE.

Other books referred to in this video include:

Clarke, Adel E. (2005) Situational Analysis: Grounded Theory After the Postmodern Turn, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Corbin, J. M., & Strauss, A. L. (2015). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Thousand Oaks, CA; London: SAGE Publications.

Henwood, K. & Pidgeon, N. (2003) Grounded Theory in Psychological Research. In P. M. Camic, J. E. Rhodes & L.Yardley (Eds), Qualitative research in psychology: Expanding perspectives in methodology and design (pp. 131-155). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Morse, J. M., Stern, P. N. Corbin, J. M., Bowers, B., Charmaz, K. C. & Clarke, A. E. (2009) Developing Grounded Theory: The Second Generation. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press.

Strauss, A. L. (1961). Images of the American city. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers

Strauss, A. L. (1977). Mirrors and masks: The search for identity. London: Martin Robertson

Thornberg, Robert (2012) ‘Informed Grounded Theory’, Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 56(3): 243-59

Turner, Jonathan H. (2007) Human Emotions: A Sociological Theory. London, New York: Routledge.

Urquhart, C. (2013). Grounded theory for qualitative research: A practical guide. Los Angeles, CA; London: SAGE.

Wertz, F.J., Charmaz, K., McMullen, L.M., Josselson, R., Anderson, R. & McSpadden, E. (2011) Five Ways of Doing Qualitative Analysis: Phenomenological Psychology, Grounded Theory, Discourse Analysis, Narrative Research, and Intuitive Inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.

Music:
A Discussion with Prof Kathy Charmaz on Grounded Theory by Graham R Gibbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

[edwardkwan]

I finished my doctoral using Kathy's constructivist GT. It was a very rewarding exploration. By interviewing 23 Chinese wives of problem gamblers in Hong Kong, I was lucky to see the emergence of 2 new models, one research two theories constructed- the Multiple Self and Multiple Impact (MSMI) model, and Coping with Multiple Paradigms. The concept of Self is a very useful construct for me to discover the theories. It was an unforgettable research experience because one immerged into the data and thus the worlds of the paraticipants. It is challenging to engage in the business of theory construction.

[joaoantoniotelles]

Excellent interview and very good for undergrad and grad courses in Qualitative Research Methodologies. Thank you Graham R Gibbs for sharing this with us, university professors and graduate students around the world! Thank you Kathy Charmaz for sharing your thoughts!

[LsCarvalho]

Honorable mention from University of Amsterdam's online courses in Qualitative Research Methodologies.
Thank you for your work, it's inspiring.

[mangoyacho]

Thank you very much for such an excellent interview. Professor Charmaz's insight as well as Professor Gibbs' style of questioning have really opened a whole new world to me. Not only have I learnt something for academic purposes, I a starting to look at everyday conversations in a different way! Thank you!

[nidhinautiyal]

Thankyou for such a brilliant interview that allows a comprehensive understanding of GT from Charmaz' point of view. Very useful indeed.

[lakhbirsingh]

Thank you so much, I am currently critiquing a qualitative research paper which reported using GT. This interview has helped me to have a greater understanding of GT.

[andybytheway]

Graham - thanks for organising and making available this REALLY interesting and authoritative conversation - it has shifted my paradigm. And I have just bought the book (I don't often do that these days!). Andy

[bjrnarblaalid]

Thank you for sharing this interview. I'm a practitioner of sociology (PhD student) and qualitative methodologies specificaly Grounded Theory-approaches. Prof Charmaz has a really deep understanding on GT-issues, everyone interested in GT should hear this interview!

[BB-dmpm]

This interview is rich. Its relevance will outlast both scholars. It is grounded in illustrations drawn from both practice and theory. It's a road map for constructing grounded theory. Yet its treatment of core conceps and philosophical premises of the subject cuts across the entire canvass of the qualitative research approach. A must watch for anyone interested in qualitative reaearch based on a constructivist orientation. In fact, all (novice and practitioner) qualitative researchers will find this as an interesting and invaluable resource. I strongly recommend it. WATCH and LEARN. Be critical while you do. Enjoy it.

[diegogavilanmartin]

Congratulations. Masterclass. Two great ones together. Regards from Alicante Faculty of Education (Spain).

[carolgrannis]

Thank you so much Mr. Gibbs. This interview was so very helpful to reinforce my understanding, answer some questions that I had and keep me forging ahead on my dissertations, "Why Leaders Chose to Self-Disclose a mistake, an emotion or risk being vulnerable in front of their employees."

[FreirePaola]

Mr. Gibbs - this is an awesome program!!! Keep doing what you're doing!!!

[sauronguitar]

Helped a lot for my dissertation!!! Thanks for the interview!

[Venkatpulla]

this is an excellent video. thanks Graham and Kathy for doing this  Dr Venkat Pulla Australian Catholic University

[AlexanderDunn-cjme]

Kathy if you go um hmm once again i swear im going to quantitively, that said this has been the best hour of my life when it comes to learning. a big big thankyou.

[flowtoaction]

This is brilliant! Many thanks to you both

[darianemtseva]

Thank you so much for the interview!!!

[carolineromeo]

I am curious if GT can be used as an approach to analyse texts in order to derive theory? I read that an abbreviated GT could do so but is not a preferred approach. Timeframes and delay in ethics approval means I have to do an extended literature review. So I was wondering if GT could still be used to analyse texts. And does it have to focus on interview data? I'm hoping to explore how counselling can support older people with addictions. Appreciate your advice.

[Lomomolo]

Thank you so much for this interview and sharing it.

[lauraparkfigueroa]

THANK YOU for this video. I learned so much. I'm right at the stage of moving to axial coding and categories so this was helpful.