Coding, Constant Comparisons, and Core Categories: A Worked Example for Novice Constructivist Grounded Theorists

Area of Science:

• Qualitative Research Methods
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Grounded theory methodology can be complex for new researchers due to varied process descriptions.
• Understanding family presence during resuscitation is crucial in acute care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a worked example of the data analysis phase in constructivist grounded theory.
• To illustrate core grounded theory methods using a study on family presence during resuscitation.
• To demonstrate the development of a core category from data analysis.

Main Methods:

• Constructivist grounded theory approach.
• Detailed explanation of initial and focused coding, constant comparative analysis, and memo writing.
• Application of theoretical sampling and theoretical saturation to data analysis.

Main Results:

• Exemplification of the data analysis process for a constructivist grounded theory study.
• Step-by-step construction of the core category "Conditional Permission" is traced.
• Demonstration of how initial codes, subcategories, and properties lead to a substantive grounded theory.

Conclusions:

• This worked example clarifies the data analysis phase of constructivist grounded theory.
• The study provides a practical guide for novice grounded theorists, particularly in health care research.
• The core category "Conditional Permission" offers insight into family presence dynamics during resuscitation.