To See the Wood for the Trees: The Development of Theory from Empirical Interview Data Using Grounded Theory

Abstract

The way from empirical interview data to the development of theory is illustrated with reference to an intercultural study. This study was located in the field of mathematics education and focused on the development of a theory of personal meaning. Starting from only a rough understanding of what personal meaning might be, interviews were conducted with students from lower secondary level in Germany and Hong Kong. Due to the setting of the study in two cultures, a pragmatic interpretation of theoretical sampling had to be taken so that as much data as possible was collected to choose from throughout the analytical process. Data analysis followed grounded theory according to Strauss and Corbin (Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park: Sage, Grounded theory: Grundlagen qualitativer Sozialforschung [Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques]. Weinheim: Beltz; see also Chap. 1). Therefore, different types of codes (in-vivo, empirically developed, and conceptual) as well as different types of coding (open, axial, and selected) were the result of constant comparison and writing memos. By comparing codes and using a coding paradigm, categories and concepts were developed so that the theory of personal meaning started to evolve from the data. The results of the analyzing process were an empirically grounded theory of personal meaning consisting of 17 different kinds of personal meaning on the one hand and an underlying theoretical framework that describes the surrounding conditions of the construction of personal meaning on the other hand.