Staying True to the Data

This paper describes a data-based and transparent approach that was followed during classic grounded theory data analysis to ensure rigor and theoretical saturation. Firstly, a visual approach was followed to ensure that the theory discovery stayed as close to the story told by the data set as poss...

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Main Authors: Ilse Doyer, Michael K. Ayomoh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociology Press 2025-06-01
Series:Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/295
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author Ilse Doyer
Michael K. Ayomoh
author_facet Ilse Doyer
Michael K. Ayomoh
author_sort Ilse Doyer
collection DOAJ
description This paper describes a data-based and transparent approach that was followed during classic grounded theory data analysis to ensure rigor and theoretical saturation. Firstly, a visual approach was followed to ensure that the theory discovery stayed as close to the story told by the data set as possible, thus ensuring both rigor and accuracy. Secondly, process data in the form of a coding rate time study and theoretical contribution rate, were tracked to monitor theoretical saturation objectively. The presented approach offers a novel approach to showcasing classic grounded theory rigor during the data coding process, as well as a way to prove that theoretical saturation was reached. The approach presented in this paper thus provides grounded theory researchers with a way in which to both ensure and defend the rigor and accuracy of their research. 
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Sociology Press
record_format Article
series Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal
spelling doaj-art-faed2d6ebffe4686abf93a9533a1ccca2025-08-20T03:33:34ZengSociology PressGrounded Theory Review: An International Journal1556-15421556-15502025-06-01241Staying True to the DataIlse Doyer0Michael K. Ayomoh1Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of PretoriaDepartment of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Pretoria This paper describes a data-based and transparent approach that was followed during classic grounded theory data analysis to ensure rigor and theoretical saturation. Firstly, a visual approach was followed to ensure that the theory discovery stayed as close to the story told by the data set as possible, thus ensuring both rigor and accuracy. Secondly, process data in the form of a coding rate time study and theoretical contribution rate, were tracked to monitor theoretical saturation objectively. The presented approach offers a novel approach to showcasing classic grounded theory rigor during the data coding process, as well as a way to prove that theoretical saturation was reached. The approach presented in this paper thus provides grounded theory researchers with a way in which to both ensure and defend the rigor and accuracy of their research.  https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/295Classic grounded theorytheoretical saturationsample sizetime studydata analysisdata-based approach
spellingShingle Ilse Doyer
Michael K. Ayomoh
Staying True to the Data
Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal
Classic grounded theory
theoretical saturation
sample size
time study
data analysis
data-based approach
title Staying True to the Data
title_full Staying True to the Data
title_fullStr Staying True to the Data
title_full_unstemmed Staying True to the Data
title_short Staying True to the Data
title_sort staying true to the data
topic Classic grounded theory
theoretical saturation
sample size
time study
data analysis
data-based approach
url https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/295
work_keys_str_mv AT ilsedoyer stayingtruetothedata
AT michaelkayomoh stayingtruetothedata