Abstract
This paper takes a look at the outstanding feature of grounded theory, which is that researchers never begin with theory but identify various constructs in the generated data from which the theory emerges. The paper further points out that a certain guarantee is provided by this method because it ensures that all theory which is generated remains grounded in the data. The reason is that any information that is relevant to the emerging theory originates in the data.

From the Paper
"The outstanding feature of grounded theory is that researchers never begin with theory but identify various constructs in the generated data; it is from those data that theory emerges (Streubert & Carpenter, 2005). In a sense, a certain guarantee is provided by this method because it ensures that all theory which is generated remains grounded in the data. The reason is that any information that is relevant to the emerging theory originates in the data. Grounding theory is not only unlike quantitative methods but is also distinct from other qualitative research methods in five ways. First, the framework of grounded theory is generated from the..."

Tags:theory, evaluation, application

Abstract
This paper examines how grounded theory is utilized in performing a qualitative research and how it recognizes and allows the subjectivity of its participants, but attempts to still be objective and avoids researcher and participant biases. The paper also looks at how there are three basic elements of grounded theory: concepts, categories, and propositions. In addition, the paper looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the theory as well as its relevance to nursing research.

Outline:
Description of Grounded Theory
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Grounded Theory
Relevance of Grounded Theory to Nursing Research

From the Paper
"There are three basic elements of grounded theory: concepts, categories, and propositions (Pandit, 1996). A theoretical concept is not the data itself, but it unifies these small data into one phenomenon. Small data are recognized as codes. A concept determines if a certain data is encountered is relevant to the subject being studied. A concept is a little bit more abstract than data collected. Concrete ideas such as "taking pain relievers" or "sleeping" may be considered as activities to "removing pain". The second element of grounded theory is the use of categories. Grounded theory makes use of more abstract labels, or categories, to organize data. As more seemingly random concepts arise, a relationship among them can be found. "

Tags:data, categories, propositions, concepts

Abstract
This paper explains that the outstanding feature of grounded theory is that researchers never begin with a theory but identify various constructs in the data generated by the study. The author points out that underlying grounded theory is the sociological perspective of symbolic interactionism. The paper defines the theory of symbolic interationism stating that the way people behave and interact is determined by the way they impose their meanings and interpret the symbolism they encounter in their lives. The author relates that grounded theory is of great value to nursing research because it can be empirically tested. The paper reports that grounded theory has been used effectively to investigate issues relating to the nursing profession such as nursing education, practice and administration.

From the Paper
"Any concepts and variables that emerge are then interrelated by using core variables. Core variables are extremely important as the discovery of a core variable is the whole purpose of grounded theory. The core variable is what gives meaning to the central theme and also explains what is taking place with the data. The core variable also is the central concept for the sake of theory generation and the entire value of the theory depends on that core variable. There are six features associated with the core variable."

Tags:framework, core, bias, interactionism, comparisons

Abstract
This paper explains that both ethnographic and grounded-theory research seek to find a scientifically valid and effective way of conducting research on a variety of subjects. Ethnographic research tends to be more of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative measures, whereas, grounded-theory research tends to be more purely quantitative. The author points out that ethnographic research is a naturalistic, observational method, which elicits rich descriptions of context and culture, alternating between a narrow and a broad focus. The paper relates that, because it deals with an explicitly theoretical research problem, grounded-theory methodology is more direct, more rationalized and quantitative in nature, and primarily seeks to answer research questions through the proposition that scientific research cannot be proposed without substantive or grounded data to back it up.

From the Paper
"There are many approaches to conducting research, some qualitative and some quantitative, and some which have facets of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative research designs serve the purpose of showing causal motivations, observing present conditions and longitudinal comparisons, and establishing relationships with evidence from a sample size that is generally large or, in some cases, deferred to a larger statistical research body. Qualitative designs, on the other hand, focus more on specifics than the
generalities suggested by these tendencies towards large sampling groups in quantitative research."

Tags:qualitative, quantitative, longitudinal, valid, observational

Abstract
The paper relates that ground theory works in a reverse fashion from the scientific method. The paper demonstrates how Ground Theory works in reverse by studying the undergraduate experience at college. The paper relates that Ground Theory (GT) is a qualitative research methodology that is commonly used in social science studies, where instead of starting with a hypothesis, it ends at a hypothesis. The paper explains that from data collected through qualitative methods of interviews, conversations and surveys a series of codes are extracted from the data collected and these codes are then used to group similar concepts into categories. The paper discusses how from these categories, the creation of a theory or hypothesis is formulated, and this very process is a direct contradiction of the framework for the scientific model (Borgatti, n.d).

From the Paper
"Ground theory methodology (GTM) works in a reverse fashion from the scientific method. This paper will demonstrate how Ground Theory works in reverse by studying the undergraduate experience at college. Ground Theory (GT) is a qualitative research methodology that is commonly used in social science studies. Instead of starting with a hypothesis GT ends at a hypothesis. From data collected through qualitative methods of interviews, conversations and surveys a series of codes are extracted from the data collected. These codes are then used to group similar concepts into..."

Tags:ground, theory, approach

Abstract
Nursing is grounded in theory but nursing theory can only be advance through research which tests the theory. Even when discussing the merits and drawbacks of theory-guided practice versus evidence-based practice, it becomes clear that the two types of practice cannot easily be separated. There are convincing arguments on both sides of this issue. However, nurses normally rely on evidence-based practice when delivering patient care and also when considering a major change. Theory cannot lead to safe nursing practice or to best practice. Evidence-based practice results in efficiency and safety, and it is the only means for deciding on best practice.

From the Paper
Theory-guided Practice vs Evidence-Based Practice Introduction Nursing is grounded in theory but nursing theory can only be advanced through research which tests the theory. Even when discussing the merits and drawbacks of theory-guided practice versus evidence-based practice, it becomes clear that the two types of practice cannot easily be separated. There are convincing arguments on both sides of this issue. However, nurses normally rely on evidence-based practice when delivering patient care and also when considering a major change. Theory cannot lead to safe nursing practice or to best practice. Evidence-based practice results in

Tags:theory, evidence, nursing

Abstract
In 'Coping Strategies Used by the Relatives of People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder', Stengler, Wenzke, Trosbach, Dietrich, and Angermeyer (2004) collectively conducted a qualitative study of the coping mechanisms employed by the family members of individuals who suffer from OCD. This essay attempts to understand as fully as possible the burden that is placed on those individuals in caring for OCD victims both in the sense of responsibility but also psychosocial ramifications.

Tags:qualitative, ground, theory

Abstract
This paper reviews a mid-range theory in a peer reviewed nursing article. The paper explores the mid-range theory of chronic sorrow as it is discussed in LaDonna Northington's article 'Chronic Sorrow in Caregivers of School Age Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Grounded Theory Approach.' The paper then explains why this article was chosen, provide an overview of the theory, discuss some key points which cannot be passed over in silence, analyze how the theory is utilized by the academic in question, and consider the article's (and the theories) general strengths and weaknesses.

Tags:northington, chronic, sorrow

Abstract
This paper first explains that the plate tectonic theory, which suggests that the Earth is made up of a dozen rigid plates, moving independently of each other, is used to explain the movement of the plates on the Earth's lithosphere. Next, the author relates the history of the development of this theory starting from the work of Alfred Wegener, a German geophysicist and meteorologist, in 1912. The paper examines that the studying ocean floor and earthquake and volcanic activity are commonly used as evidence to support the plate tectonic theory.

From the Paper
"By scanning the ocean floors with magnetometers, they hypothesized that the oceanic crust constantly reformed at the crest of the mid-ocean ridges. The further you move away from that ridge crest, the sediment would become increasingly older. As they had been able to see evidence of seafloor spreading, it was accepted that the tectonic plates had moved. They also endeavored to determine and document the earthquake and volcano activity across the globe, to see how it related to the oceanic trenches and underwater mountain ranges."

Tags:asthenosphere, continental drift theory, paleomagnetic polar changes, magnetic field, subduction zones

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at how modern science evolved and notes that science was originally connected to religion. The writer discusses that science eventually evolved, severing itself from the rudiments of religion once and for all and most exemplified by Galileo's empirical observations that the earth (and man) was not the center of the solar system. The writer discusses paradigm shifts and the germ theory of disease.

From the Paper
"Modern science is a triumph of the collective efforts of countless minds throughout all of human history. Science had originally been tethered to religion, offering an explanation for all natural events observed both in nature and in human events. Religion was originally inseparable from philosophy and science in that early man found solace in linking natural events with those events which he made happen. "

Tags:germ, theory, disease