Similarities and Differences between Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Research
Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Research Essay
Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Research Essay

Similarities and Differences between Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Research

Qualitative studies have a common goal of exploring a certain phenomenon from the viewpoints of people experiencing it. Grounded theory and ethnographic research are two types of qualitative studies. They are similar in that the goal of researchers is to carry out a comprehensive examination of phenomena as it often happens in real life. Conventional ethnographic researchers and grounded theorists aim at understanding events, cultural meanings and behaviors of individuals in a certain culture utilize to construe their experiences (Aldiabat & Navenec, 2011). Ethnography gathers data that explains the organization, interpretations, and meanings of culture. For example, ethnographic research can study the pattern of cultural values, attitudes, meanings and beliefs among survivors of the holocaust while grounded theory research can be used to examine healthcare-seeking behaviors of older Hispanic immigrants Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Research Essay

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Although grounded theory and ethnographic methodologies have s some similarities, there are several notable differences. Grounded theory aims at investigating emerging patterns that lead to the development of a theory while ethnography aims at gaining a holistic and rich generalization of the behavior of a group ((Najaf et al, 2016). While the aim of grounded theory research is the generation of a theory that explains basic psychological occurrence and understanding the way people utilize social interaction to describe their reality while the aim of ethnographic study is to the provision of a broad explanation of the cultural occurrence under investigation. A researcher can utilize a grounded theory method to understand the psychosocial experiences of obese teenagers.

Grounded theory research assists the researcher to have an understanding of the behavior of participants, despite their cultural background, from the viewpoint of social interaction. This qualitative research is suitable for answering research questions about transformation in a social group (where ethnographic research is focused) but also comprehending the procedures fundamental to this transformation (Aldiabat & Navenec, 2011). Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Research Essay