Editing Grounded theory (section)

==Benefits==

The benefits of using grounded theory include [[ecological validity]], the discovery of novel phenomena, and [[Occam's razor|parsimony]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}.

Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research findings accurately represent real-world settings. Research based on grounded theories are often thought to be ecologically valid because the research is especially close to the real-world participants. Although the constructs in a grounded theory are appropriately abstract (since their goal is to explain other similar phenomenon), they are context-specific, detailed, and tightly connected to the data.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Because grounded theories are not tied to any preexisting theory, grounded theories are often fresh and new and have the potential for novel discoveries in science and other areas.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

[[Occam's razor|Parsimony]] refers to a heuristic often used in science that suggests that when there are competing hypotheses that make the same prediction, the hypothesis that relies on the fewest assumptions is preferable. Grounded theories aim to provide practical and simple explanations of complex phenomena by attempting to link those phenomena to abstract constructs and hypothesizing relationships among those constructs.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Grounded theory has further significance because:

* It provides explicit, sequential guidelines for conducting qualitative research.
* It offers specific strategies for handling the analytic phases of inquiry.
* It provides ways to streamline and integrate data collection and analysis and
* It legitimizes qualitative research as scientific inquiry.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Grounded theory methods have earned their place as a standard [[social research]] methodology and have influenced researchers from varied disciplines and professions.<ref>Charmaz, Kathy. "Grounded Theory." The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. 2003. SAGE Publications. 24 May. 2009.</ref>