GROUNDED THEORY FOR BEGINNERS: A CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH IN EDUCATION

Abstract

Grounded Theory is one of the most commonly used types of qualitative research. However, in Portugal, it is little applied in the educational sciences, despite its potential for the study of complex environments, such as education. This dissonance suggests that this type of research is not sufficiently well known, or it is believed to be difficult to use. My objective is to offer a panoramic view of Grounded Theory, which constitutes a model to initiate the practice. I describe when it becomes relevant, the steps and characteristics of the process (data collection to build theory, open coding, immediate data analysis, induction, openness, memos and constant comparison) and the expected scientific product. I conclude that the use of this research type can contribute to scientific developments, as it is based on flexible and heuristic procedures and welcomes the uncertain nature of education and the serendipity that emerges from it.

GROUNDED THEORY; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; EDUCATION; RESEARCH METHODOLOGY