The uses and abuses of grounded theory: Discovery of method and theory

Grounded theory is an inductive qualitative research approach that enables the researcher to ‘get behind’ the actions of the research participants’ lives examined through narratives of their particular set of circumstances. Grounded theory, as a methodological approach, has traditionally been used to research descriptions ‘of participants’ lived experiences. Grounded theory, as a theoretical approach, is particularly applicable when used in the tourism research context to uncover the reasons many individuals travel and engage in tourist activities. However, there has been much discussion, and indeed, much dissention surrounding the validity of grounded theory as both a methodological approach and through the development of higher order theory. How grounded theory develops using the constant comparative method, iterative coding, theoretical saturation, theoretical sampling and theory generation will be examined. Theory development will also form part of the discussion. Grounded theory has proved to be a particularly helpful theoretical and methodological research approach that is relevant as a tool for investigation into the areas of tourism and travel.