COMPARING LITERATURE REVIEW USING PRE-STUDY (QUANTITATIVE) AND POST-STUDY (QUALITATIVE) METHODS IN THE AREA OF INFORMATION GATEKEEPING BASED ON EXPLORATORY BLENDED METHOD

Abstract

Abstract. Grounded theory method can reveal social (behavioral, cultural and environmental) factors forming the foundation of informal behaviors of the scientists in the process of science production. Literature review is recognized as a part of the grounded theory method. Discussions about how to carry out the stages of a grounded theory study have come about since 1960. During the early years, the experts had reached a consensus over the idea that the literature review should be conducted in the final stages of this methodology so that the least bias and dogmatism could occur in the creation of a theory. But, the current viewpoints are laid on the foundation that the literature review in the seminal stages of grounded theory not only does not reduce degrade the study power but it also can augment creativity, theoretical sensitivity and precision thereof. The present study compares these two perspectives within the area of information gatekeeping. The study population included the medical genetics researchers from Mashhad’s medical sciences university who were assigned to two identical groups and examined by two researchers based on pre-study and post-study. After interviewing with the researchers, two questionnaire groups, including the information gatekeeping variables extracted from the interviews, were distributed amongst the study sample volume. The results indicated a trivial difference between the two variable groups. The notable point in the result was the respondents’ easier understanding of the variables defined assisted by the post-study. Keywords: grounded theory, literature review, information gatekeeping, pre-study in grounded theory, post-study in grounded theory