Qualitative Data Analysis : An introduction

1. Qualitative Data Analysis : An introduction Carol Grbich Chapter 23: Theorising from data

2. Theorising Key points Your choices regarding theorising range from: • Being directed by your chosen theoretical underpinnings from the beginning • Closely following the theoretical underpinnings of your method • Linking your emerging findings to any relevant theories/concepts to generate something new • Minimising theorising (postmodernism

3. Theorising Four options. • pre chosen theoretical positions which will drive your research and against which you will place your findings (theory direction/testing). • methodologicalunderpinnings e.g Grounded Theory has Symbolic Interactionist theory. Phenomenology has of philosophical theoretical possibilities and Feminist approaches are directed by feminist principles. • researcher choice – using a variety of conceptual models and theoretical ideas to provide a more abstract explanation of your findings and to generate some new model/pathway/ theoretical proposition (theory generating) • theory minimisation lies in the postmodern tradition where minimal interpretation but maximal display of data occurs

4. Theory testing v. theory generation • theory directed – starting with and applying an existing theoretical frame • theory generating - drawing on a range of relevant theories/concepts from the literature and combining these with what is emerging from the data to form the basis for new theoretical explanationsand models of practice.

5. what is theory? Theory is abstract knowledge which has been developed as an account regarding a group of facts or phenomena. It is derived from the exploration of phenomena, the identification of concepts and the interrelationships between concepts surrounding phenomena from which an explanatory framework can be developed.

6. levels of theory • At the microlevel theoretical framing is mostly provided by the concept: Concepts are a simple unit of abstract thought which identify the common aspects of phenomena. E.g ‘power’, ‘socialisation’, ‘masculinity’ and ‘locus of control’. Concepts are combined with propositions to form the next level up. • Theories of themiddle range are explanations with a particular discipline focus such as Nursing or Architecture or business. • Grand theories combine concepts, propositions and statements to provide an abstract overview with the capacity to be meaningful to a range of disciplines and cultures.

7. Example of levels of theory • microlevel concepts refer to limited aspects of social organisation: e.g. ‘Women carry the burden of care in our society’ • middle range level concepts(gender roles, burden etc) plus variables (sex, class) and statements (made up of concepts + variables) e.g. ‘Women of low socio-economic class, as less powerful members of the culture, will carry the burden of care in some societies’. • grandtheory an abstract explanation of the uniformities of social behaviour, organisation and change comprising definitions, concepts, variables, statementsandtheoretical constructs e.g. a Marxist analysis: ‘In capitalist societies, women’s powerless lower class position will ensure they always have lower status work. Strong socialisation into nurturing roles means they will continue to be unwaged domestic slaves’.