[The grounded theory method of conducting nursing research]

The purpose of the grounded theory-method is to form, based on the empirical data, new concepts, conceptual systems, theoretical structures on some special substantive field or more generally in human action. The basis of the method is in symbolic interactionism and it is well suitable to the interactive human action. In this method the data collection (usually observation or/and interviewing) and handling happen at the same time, the main is the constant comparative analysis. The criteria for the evaluation of the validity are fitness, understanding and generality. The method is used in the nursing science abroad, in Finland it is just started.