Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology

When doing classic grounded theory research, one of the most problematic areas, particularly for novice researchers, is the theoretical coding process. The identification of theoretical codes is essential to development of an integrated and explanatory substantive theory when a researcher is using...

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Main Author: Cheri Ann Hernandez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociology Press 2009-11-01
Series:Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/452
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author Cheri Ann Hernandez
author_facet Cheri Ann Hernandez
author_sort Cheri Ann Hernandez
collection DOAJ
description When doing classic grounded theory research, one of the most problematic areas, particularly for novice researchers, is the theoretical coding process. The identification of theoretical codes is essential to development of an integrated and explanatory substantive theory when a researcher is using classic grounded theory research methodology, but it is not a part of Straussian qualitative data analysis as described by Strauss and Corbin. A theoretical code is the relational model through which all substantive codes/categories are related to the core category. Like substantive codes, theoretical codes emerge through the data analysis process, rather than being overlaid on the data through the use of conjecture or ‘pet’ codes. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the theoretical coding process and to review the theoretical coding families and individual theoretical codes that have been identified previously by Glaser.
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record_format Article
series Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal
spelling doaj-art-1f4e1ba70fcf488ba95047d5428a85172025-08-20T03:29:35ZengSociology PressGrounded Theory Review: An International Journal1556-15421556-15502009-11-01803Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory MethodologyCheri Ann Hernandez When doing classic grounded theory research, one of the most problematic areas, particularly for novice researchers, is the theoretical coding process. The identification of theoretical codes is essential to development of an integrated and explanatory substantive theory when a researcher is using classic grounded theory research methodology, but it is not a part of Straussian qualitative data analysis as described by Strauss and Corbin. A theoretical code is the relational model through which all substantive codes/categories are related to the core category. Like substantive codes, theoretical codes emerge through the data analysis process, rather than being overlaid on the data through the use of conjecture or ‘pet’ codes. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the theoretical coding process and to review the theoretical coding families and individual theoretical codes that have been identified previously by Glaser. https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/452Classic Grounded Theorytheoretical codestheoretical codingresearch methodology
spellingShingle Cheri Ann Hernandez
Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology
Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal
Classic Grounded Theory
theoretical codes
theoretical coding
research methodology
title Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology
title_full Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology
title_fullStr Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology
title_full_unstemmed Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology
title_short Theoretical Coding in Grounded Theory Methodology
title_sort theoretical coding in grounded theory methodology
topic Classic Grounded Theory
theoretical codes
theoretical coding
research methodology
url https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/452
work_keys_str_mv AT cheriannhernandez theoreticalcodingingroundedtheorymethodology