Grounded Theory methodological aspects in Brazilian nursing thesis

qualitative, descriptive study elaborated based on theses available in the CAPES Thesis and Dissertations Catalog, located with the search for the terms “Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados” OR “Grounded Theory”, from 2013 to 2017. The data obtained were analyzed, considering the Grounded Theory methodological assumptions.

Results:

observance of Grounded Theory basic concepts and articulation with several theoretical frameworks in the conduct of the investigations are strengthening aspects of the method. However, dissent in the description of the operationalization of the stages and naming of the elaborated construct weaken the methodological quality.

Final considerations:

the methodological consistency provided by Grounded Theory has the potential to demonstrate the studies’ rigor and reliability conducted and theories generated. It is necessary to deepen theoretical-conceptual studies to elucidate discrepancies in the applicability in nursing research.

Descriptors:
Grounded Theory; Qualitative Research; Nursing Research; Methodology; Nursing

Methodological characteristics	Main results obtained
Research question	Experiences (16), meanings (15), others (14), do not present (1).
Objective	To understand (27), to analyze (6), to develop theoretical model/theory (5), to identify (3), to interpret (2), to evaluate (1), to describe (1), to explore (1).
Literature review	Yes (46)
Theoretical framework	Symbolic Interactionism (21), complexity (7), Grounded Theory (7), mixed methods (4), Virginia Henderson (1), Attachment Theory (1), Transition Theory (1), Lean Philosophy (1), Systemic Theory (1).
Generation of hypotheses for shaping the theoretical sample	Hypothesis developed in the analysis process using the constant comparative method (24); hypothesis elaborated by theoretical assumption (13); does not present a hypothesis (9).
Sample groups	Yes (37); no (9).
Data collection tool	Interview (deep, intensive or semi-structured) (46); observation (12); field diary (3); scales (4); others (2).
Coding and Constant comparative analysis	Open, axial and selective - Strauss and Corbin (35); initial and focused - Charmaz (8); selective and theoretical open - Glaser (3).
Memos	They describe the elaboration and present an example (31); do not have (15).
Diagrams	They present diagrams (43); do not have (3).
Data saturation	Referred (38); not mentioned (8).
Central category	Central category (19); central phenomenon (18); others (3); does not refer (6).
Validation	With validation (target population, experts in the method or theme) (27); without validation (19).

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[1] Corresponding author: Nara Marilene Oliveira Girardon-Perlini E-mail: nara.girardon@gmail.com