Grounded Theory

Grounded theory (GT) is one of the most widely known and used qualitative methodological approaches applied in health psychology research over the past 20 years. Core methods of GT are well established and are often cited across a broad range of studies adopting qualitative research designs. Despite this, research has frequently cited that a core aim of GT, that is, to generate theory, is often not undertaken. Such statements suggest that a better understanding of the different versions of GT is needed. The current chapter provides an overview of three main versions of GT: Glaserian, Straussian, and Charmazian. The chapter then provides an identification of the common methods used across the three versions of GT, as well as highlight methods specific to each version of GT. Research examples from health psychology literature are used to aid understanding of the methodological terms identified.