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Adopting a constructivist approach to grounded theory: implications for research design.

Mills J, Bonner A, Francis K

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gippsland Campus, Monash University, Smithfield, Queensland, Australia. jane.e.mills@bigpond.com

Grounded theory is a popular research methodology that is evolving to account for a range of ontological and epistemological underpinnings. Constructivist grounded theory has its foundations in relativism and an appreciation of the multiple truths and realities of subjectivism. Undertaking a constructivist enquiry requires the adoption of a position of mutuality between researcher and participant in the research process, which necessitates a rethinking of the grounded theorist's traditional role of objective observer. Key issues for constructivist grounded theorists to consider in designing their research studies are discussed in relation to developing a partnership with participants that enables a mutual construction of meaning during interviews and a meaningful reconstruction of their stories into a grounded theory model.

Published 11 January 2006 in Int J Nurs Pract, 12(1): 8-13.
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