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(Strauss & Corbin, 1998, p.12). Since theory development is a significant concern when
using qualitative methods, this aspect of grounded theory is important and useful
(Patton, 2002) because it enables researchers to fill the gap in theory development. This
is done by focusing on gathering data from a particular area of research to derive
theories inductively, as opposed to using a deductive approaches where theory is
hypothetically generated (Finn et al., 2000).
Another significant advantage of grounded theory is the ability to produce founding
concepts upon which to build research (Corbin & Holt, 2005). This provides
explanatory frameworks for researchers that indicate links between research concepts
(Charmaz, 2000). Since grounded theory can be used from either an objectivist or
constructivist perspective and from varied forms of quantitative or qualitative data
collection methods, it enables flexible research strategies to be adopted (Strauss &
Corbin, 1998).
Grounded theory is a useful approach for this research because the inductive approach
of grounded theory allows identification of concepts better than testing a priori
hypothesis. Furthermore, the case-study approach has been chosen in order to gain a
deeper insight, but it does require information from a variety of data sources and the
flexibility of grounded theory in data-collecting methods and data sources makes it
compatible with this approach.
3.3 Case studies
Case studies are one of the most common approaches used in qualitative and mixed
methods inquiry (Stake, 2000), providing an empirical investigation of an existing
phenomenon in its real-life context (Yin, 1994, in Jennings, 2001). The case-study
approach is particularly useful in situations where the research topic is required to be
defined broadly (Yin, 2003).
Jennings (2001) portrayed the advantages and disadvantages associated with case
studies; these are summarised in Table 3.1. One of the key advantages of case studies is
that they give access to in-depth data. This research is grounded in a social setting, and
the case-study approach gives the opportunity for participants to verify the accuracy of
the evidence. The possibility of verification by participants also eliminates chances of
researcher bias. Another useful advantage is that case studies allow methodological
triangulation.
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