The use of grounded theory to study interaction

In this paper Hanna Maijala, Eija Paavilainen and Päivi Astedt-Kurki examine the use of grounded theory from the perspective of data analysis. The paper reports on the findings of a Finnish study of interaction between caregivers and families expecting an impaired child. The objective of the study was to describe and explain the social processes between caregivers and families expecting an impaired child by identifying the central descriptive concepts, their interconnections, and the overall structure of the interaction process. The authors conclude that grounded theory is a diverse approach to studying interaction, and that the constant comparative method is a challenge to a researcher's perseverance and flexibility.