Multi-grounded theory - Adding theoretical grounding to grounded theory

The purpose of this paper is to challenge some of the cornerstones of Grounded theory and propose an extended alternative approach for data analysis and theory development, which is called multi-grounded theory (MGT).

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to challenge some of the cornerstones of Grounded theory and propose an extended alternative \napproach for data analysis and theory development, which we call multi-grounded theory (MGT). A multi-grounded theory is \nnot only empirically grounded. Three different grounding processes are acknowledged: Theoretical, empirical and internal \ngrounding. We go beyond the pure inductivist approach in GT and add the explicit use of external theories. A working \nstructure of MGT is presented, which can be seen as an extension of Grounded theory.