Charting the Terrain of Grounded Theory Research in Music Therapy

Abstract

Grounded theory is viewed as an exceptional example of a qualitative research methodology that was developed in the modernist phase of qualitative research. The methodology emphasizes inductive reasoning, and its foundations rest with symbolic interactionism and pragmatist philosophy. Grounded theory has been described as one of the more systematic approaches to qualitative research. Music therapists have used grounded theory to investigate many aspects of the applications of music therapy in healthcare. This chapter provides information about the history and context for the development of grounded theory, including key pioneers in the approach. Key strategies for conducting grounded theory research are discussed. Music therapy studies that have used grounded theory method are presented.