Profiling grounded theory approaches in information systems research

Abstract

Studies claiming to use the Grounded theory methodology (GTM) have been quite prevalent in information systems (IS) literature. A cursory review of this literature reveals conflict in the understanding of GTM, with a variety of grounded theory approaches apparent. The purpose of this investigation was to establish what alternative grounded theory approaches have been employed in IS, and to what extent each has been used. In order to accomplish this goal, a comprehensive set of IS articles that claimed to have followed a grounded theory approach were reviewed. The articles chosen were those published in the widely acknowledged top eight IS-centric journals, since these journals most closely represent exemplar IS research. Articles for the period 1985-2008 were examined. The analysis revealed four main grounded theory approaches in use, namely (1) the classic grounded theory approach, (2) the evolved grounded theory approach, (3) the use of the grounded theory approach as part of a mixed methodology, and (4) the application of grounded theory techniques, typically for data analysis purposes. The latter has been the most common approach in IS research. The classic approach was the least often employed, with many studies opting for an evolved or mixed method approach. These and other findings are discussed and implications drawn.

Keywords:

• grounded theory methodology
• IS research methodology

An earlier version of this paper was published in the ACM International Proceedings Series as: MATAVIRE, R. and BROWN, I. (2008). Investigating the use of ‘Grounded Theory’ in Information Systems research, Proceedings of the SAICSIT 2008 Conference, Wilderness, South Africa, 7–9 October, pp 139–147.

An earlier version of this paper was published in the ACM International Proceedings Series as: MATAVIRE, R. and BROWN, I. (2008). Investigating the use of ‘Grounded Theory’ in Information Systems research, Proceedings of the SAICSIT 2008 Conference, Wilderness, South Africa, 7–9 October, pp 139–147.

Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported financially by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and therefore the NRF does not accept any liability in regard thereto.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rangarirai Matavire

About the authors

Rangarirai Matavire is a Postgraduate student at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. His research areas are focused on methodological, philosophical and ethical issues in Information Systems. He is also engaged in research on the possibility of the use of technology for human development, specifically mobile devices in Health Information Systems, and theorizing in the Information Systems discipline.

Irwin Brown

Irwin Brown is Professor of Information Systems and Director of the Centre for IT and National Development in Africa (CITANDA) at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. His research focuses primarily on issues related to information systems in developing country contexts.