Using quantitative data in mixed-design grounded theory studies: an enhanced path to formal grounded theory in information systems

Abstract

This article discusses a key development in the use of grounded theory (GT) in information systems (IS) – the use of quantitative data in mixed studies to build on and elaborate theories. We examine the design of one of our research projects and describe how this mixed-design GT project helped elaborate emerging theories using slices of qualitative and quantitative data. Our contributions are threefold: (i) we show that the use of mixed data and techniques can be leveraged to help build credible theories in IS because it allows researchers to build theories of greater abstraction and scope: it helps sense-making in the drive from substantive to parsimonious formal theories; (ii) in line with classic GT, we propose a mixed typological design to help build a pathway to formal grounded theories in rupture with existing literature; and (iii) we highlight GT as a meta-theory of research design and revisit some of its main principles in a mixed-design perspective.

Keywords:

• classic grounded theory
• mixed methods
• typological approach
• research design
• rupture theorizing

Acknowledgements

I thank the associate editor and reviewers, without whom this article would not have ‘happened’. Special thanks also to Cathy Urquhart who read and commented on an early version of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Isabelle Walsh

About the author

Isabelle Walsh (Ph.D., HDR) is full professor at Neoma Business School. Her research deals with socio-cultural aspects and methodological issues within the IS, and management fields. Her works have been published in various research outlets (European Journal of Information Systems; Journal of Strategic Information Systems; Management & Avenir; Systèmes d’Information et Management).