Using grounded theory for method engineering

Abstract

Grounded theory is a qualitative research approach that can be used to build theory from empirical data in an explorative fashion. Although the field of method engineering is a relatively mature research area, a lack of empirical grounding can be attested since method engineering is commonly based on literature reviews and follows a deductive, construction-oriented engineering process. Particularly, the constituent elements of methods (such as activities and techniques) are seldom grounded in empirical data. In order to enrich method engineering research and to base methods and their elements on empirical data, this paper combines features of method engineering and grounded theory. The result is a methodological support for the method engineering process that follows techniques acquired from grounded theory. This new approach to method engineering shall be called grounded method engineering. It is meant to improve a method's quality before an application or configuration takes place by anchoring its constituent elements in empirical data. Hence, grounded method engineering will underpin methods to be developed by extracting domain knowledge using techniques found in grounded theory. © 2011 IEEE.