Constructivist Grounded Theory Applied to a Culture Study

Constructivist grounded theories, similar to phenomenology, are an empirical form of inquiry grounded in experiences (Charmaz, 2006; Charmaz & McMullen, 2011; Mills, Bonner & Francis, 2006; Shank, 2006). The difference between phenomenology and constructivist grounded theory is that phenomenologists analyze the contextual dimensions of experience that can be seen and shown by the researcher while constructivist grounded theorists believe that researchers may miss the hidden implications of social locations (Charmaz & McMullen, 2011). According to Mills et al. (2006), constructivist grounded theory reshapes the interaction between the researcher and the participants in the research process and highlights the role of the researcher as the author. Several authors have explained why constructivist grounded theories and phenomenology are useful, but few studies have dealt on how phenomenological studies are carried out using software such as NVivo. Gibbs (2002) uses NVivo to explain various qualitative data analysis methods but without focusing on constructivist grounded theory in particular. Researchers and students need applied examples using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) such as NVivo to assist in the analysis of qualitative data. CAQDAS can assist a researcher in providing a comprehensive picture of data as well as in allowing the researcher to document the audit of the data analysis process (Welsh, 2002).