Grounded Theory as a Research Methodology in Educational Technology

Abstract

One of the most widely used and controversial qualitative research methods among researchers is Grounded Theory (GT). Although the basic concepts of GT are widely known by qualitative researchers, the practical application of the method is not always clear, and sometimes we encounter contradictions and uncertainties. The objective of this article is to provide a data analysis strategy based on GT. It is hoped that this knowledge will provide an aid or resource for both novice and experienced educational technology researchers. To this end, a conceptual overview of the field and the methodological route are presented. A broad and updated theoretical base is used to describe the conceptual and structural aspects of GT, to describe steps to follow when applying it, and to highlight the use of analytical tools that help the researcher make decisions and implement GT.