Exploring Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions: A Grounded Theory Approach

The research compares and contrasts the grounded theory and ethnography approaches, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. It also discusses the suitability of each approach for different research questions.

Running Head: QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY 1
Methodological paradigms
Name
Institution affiliation

METHODOLOGICAL PARADIGMS 2
Introduction
Grounded theory is a qualitative method that pursues to cultivate an argument based on
methodically collected and analyzed data. The technique was initially presented by Barney
Glaser and Anselm Strauss in 1967. They established this exploration style while reviewing the
relations with critically ill patients in a clinic environment. The two sociologists were unhappy
about the manner in which prevailing philosophies ruled sociological research (Falzon, 2016).
They established a process of instantaneous data gathering and analysis which allows the
creation of a theory grounded in the collected data. In other words, they created a technique that
wishes to develop a concept rather than to test pre-conceived ideas. During that period most of
the theory progress was conducted before collecting and analyzing data. Glaser and Strauss were,
therefore, interested with another tactic, one which involved evolving approaches in a manner
that is related to the data gathering and analysis process. However, it worth noting that the
grounded theory approach has experienced some various amendments (Goldstein, Gray,
Salisbury, & Snell, 2014). Most meaningfully, the authors separated company and suggested
different techniques in which grounded theory should be accomplished. As a result, there are
three major approaches of grounded theory expansion namely; traditional/classical, evolved and
constructivist. Traditional methods were developed by Glaser and Strauss though separately.
Epistemology
The epistemological background entails ignoring the existing literature of theory to
ensure that the emergence of categories will not be tainted. Approach advocates that an analyst's
epistemological outline ought to be clearly discovered and recognized in early phases of the
research. The justification is that nonparticipation from a literature review will permit the

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concept to arise from the data, instead of being executed to it from the available literature.
However, Glaser and Strauss later deviated on their positions regarding steering a literature
review before data gathering (Fusch & Ness, 2015). Regardless of their disagreement on a
method to literature reviews, they stayed attached to a shared fundamental belief that to establish
a grounded theory it was significant to let such theory to arise via means of evading researcher's
contamination of research project.
Methodology used
Moreover, the importance of emergency is contained in the three approaches of GMT
though there is divergence. The divergence arises from different strategies adopted by the
sociologists on how a researcher should realize or permit a theory to develop devoid of
introducing rigid notions and norms on the research item. Glaser debated in approval of no
reading on the topic of investigation before the research itself. Subsequently, he divided into
three major categories; non-professional, popular and pure ethnographic descriptions.
On the other hand, (Corbin & Strauss, 2014) acknowledged that a scholar conveys to the
study not only his/her individual and skilled understanding, but also awareness learned from the
literature which may entail the area of examination. As a result, they dived literature into
methodological and non-technical. Also, they acknowledged read before data gathering could not
necessarily deter the advent of the theory. Besides, they did not endorse distancing from the
literature, but rather to engross with it and utilize it in the entire process of exploration.
Though Glaser recommends refraining from a literature review before the exploration
and both Strauss and Corbin, do not, their opinions revolve around the same foundation: not to

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restrict with the advent of the innovation of a concept. The basic principles of grounded theory
are that you should approach your study with no assumptions or hypothesis.
Methods used
Some of the standard techniques used in grounded theory entail participant observation.
Indeed, this is a method which requires the analyst engaging him or herself in the regular life of
those being studied. Often involves a broad work in the environment of interest. The method is
also known as fieldwork. In a like manner, there is an interviewing method in which researchers
will study about beliefs by dialog with informers or associates of the group. From this view, the
categories of interviews steered by researchers using this style differ in point of formality from
casual conversation to semi-structured and organized interviews. (Matthew, Huberman,
&Saldaña, 2014) Besides, a researcher may also acquire knowledge about the group by amassing
and reviewing artifacts such as written procedures, diagrams, and educational handouts. They are
considered as materials used by affiliates of the values in their everyday lives.
Moreover, the grounded theory approach involves a constant comparative method that
entails the investigator moving in and out of the data pool and investigation process. The back
and onwards undertaking between the data collection and analysis is referred to as iteration. The
multiple iterations in grounded theory start with a propagative question that leads to the first
iteration of theoretical sampling. It entails classifying an initial section of people to observe such
as registered nurses. The data obtained is analyzed to enable the researcher to start to progress a
theory and decide how next to sample hence known as theoretical sampling (Reeves, et al. 2013).
A similar procedure endures till the investigator obtains a saturation stage. It is a position in
which no first-hand ideas and insights are emanating from the data.

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Analysis of data in GT
Also, there are three stages of data analysis in GT. Open coding in which researcher
segments data into related groups and formulae first groups of information about the subject of
study (Suryani, 2013). Axial coding that involves identifying a relationship between the groups
and connections. Subsequently, there is selective coding which consists in determining the core
category and methodically relating to other types as well articulate a coherent understanding of
the phenomenon of study.
Ethnography is a complete style to research established by anthropologists to apprehend
persons within their typical and traditional backgrounds. It is, therefore, the study of social
interaction and culture groups irrespective of these groups are defined as societies, organizations
or teams. The fundamental notional foundation of ethnography is that individual's activities and
opinions are reliant on a vast variety of aspects and what they proclaim and act in one
background is not necessarily what they do in another (Emerson, et al. 2017). Hence to entirely
apprehend peoples' conduct, views, and decision-making procedures, a researcher ought to
devote time with them in their different physical and societal surroundings. The utilization of
ethnography as a research methodology has thrived across the social science within various
academic fields such as commerce, healthcare, and education among others.
Epistemology
Ethnographic paradigm advocates for the establishment of a serene and conducive
environment as well as an enabling rapport between the interviewer and members of the society.
Methodology

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Ethnographic research just like all social research requires to be undertaken ethically.
Indeed, it entails due care and attention to protect the interests of research participants.
Consequently, ethnographies require prior ethical approval from the local research community
committee that covers organizations in which the study is due to be undertaken (Heath, &
Cowley, 2014). Also, ethnographer ought to ignore his or her deductions and expectations about
a group of individual to efficiently acquire everything about them.
Ethnographic methods
The principal technique of the ethnographer is contributor observation. It entails the
involvement of the researcher into the lives of those that they are reviewing which is established
on living among the persons under study usually for a year. During the period the researcher can
gather data via continuous participation in their lives and activities. The ethnographer pursues
not only to perceive and investigate about circumstances facing individuals but to contribute
within them (Emerson, et al. 2011). Participant observation is useful to measure the difference
between what people exactly do and what people say they do. An interview also acts as a
valuable method to learn from individuals what they believe, how they contemplate and how that
affects their daily life. There are two kinds of an interview; totally structured and semi-
structured. Fully formal discussions are where questions are non-flexible while the latter
interviewer has the flexibility to add additional items based on the interviewee's responses.
Besides, there is a utilization of survey which ought not to be non-inflammatory and should not
be too long.
Tools
Interviewing tools

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It is vital to record all of the interviews since memory may not be sufficient source for
citation. Partial transcriptions are highly recommended to capture necessary and most valuable
parts of the conversation. Under participant observation, a research journal for field notes is very
vital to keep track of comments. Journals will also be relevant for determining researcher's own
biases or prejudice. Technical tools, always the researcher ought to test his or her equipment
before travel and every day before going out into the field.
Part 2
Compare and contrast the different approaches
There is some aspect in which the grounded theory approach is similar to ethnography
approach. First of all the researcher in both methodologies utilizes a holistic approach to study
the phenomenon and the study occurs in the phenomenon's natural context. Secondly, in both
approaches, there is use of more than one data collection method to enable the researcher to offer
numerous explanations and improve reliability and exactness of research study (Heath, &
Cowley,2014). Also in both categories, the researcher presents the reports from the standpoint of
a contributor who has experienced the occurrence in the natural setting.
In spite of the similarities, there are some differences between grounded theory and
ethnography approach. The most noticeable difference between grounded theory and
ethnography is that of purpose. The grounded theory focuses on developing methods while
ethnography aims at discovering and understanding a specific culture (Robinson, 2013). Also,
researchers utilizing grounded approach do not consult literature before analyzing data since it
may influence their findings. In contrast, ethnographers can consult literature before embarking

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on the field work. Ethnographic research is investigative in which the ethnographer goes into the
field to discover a cultural group and explore specific social interactions.
Conversely, in case of grounded theory approach, a theoretical sampling technique is
assumed to help in theory building. Theorist tends to collect, code and analyze data to enable
development of theory (Smyth & McInerney, 2013). On the other hand, ethnographers apply
purposive sampling to emphasize more to a particular aspect of culture.
Overall it can be noted that the selection of one of these approaches is highly dependent
on the research questions of the study and the basis of the similarities and differences outlined
above. Both research approaches are valuable in their context and are highly useful as qualitative
methods of research. Moreover, it essential to note that the difference between the two
approaches does not propose differences in quality but rather in their nature and purpose.
The advantage of Grounded Theory
Grounded theory has substantial significance since it offers clear, chronological strategies
for steering qualitative research. Besides, it provides detailed approaches for supervision of the
systematic stages of analysis. In a like manner, the theory simplifies and incorporates data
collection and investigation (Holloway, & Galvin,2016). Furthermore, the argument progresses
the theoretical study of qualitative data, and also legitimizes qualitative exploration as a scientific
inquest. Additionally, grounded theory methods have received their place as a typical communal
research technique which has influenced investigators from diverse disciplines and occupations.
The disadvantage of Grounded Theory
It has been established that grounded theory contributes to a positivist epistemology and
that it avoids inquiries of reflexivity. The approach tends to work with induction which is

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associated to pay inadequate consideration to the role of researcher since the data is presumed to
speak for itself (Aldiabat & Le Navenec 2015) An additional limitation of grounded theory is its
concern with the discovery of common procedures that confines its applicability to more
phenomenological research inquiries. When used to issues of the environment of involvement as
opposed to relating societal process, then the model is reduced to a method classification.
Advantage of ethnography
The work of ethnographers enables ordinary people to learn more about people who live
in various countries, their cultures as well as norms. As a result, it opens an individual's mind
and enables one to realize how the world is diverse. Also due to the use of qualitative research,
ethnographers can make discoveries that would not have been obvious if a quantitative analysis
was used hence the establishment of more detailed and in-depth results (Jamal et al. 2013).
Through the application of consumer ethnography, businesses can learn more about their target
market.
Disadvantage of ethnography
Ethnography relies on qualitative research hence it can be hard to select a demonstrative
model by the researcher. It attributed to the fact that despite people living in the same area, they
have different personal experience. Moreover, ethnography study requires a substantial amount
of time to build rapport with his subjects (Venzon Cruz & Higginbottom, 2013). Likewise, the
achievement of ethnographic research heavily rests on the subject's readiness to open up to the
investigator. For instance, when people are aware someone is observing them, they tend to
pretend to make themselves appear honorable or to mislead the researcher.
What types of the research question is each suited for?

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Grounded theory is a qualitative research method which is suitable for research questions
about the health and medicine field. Ethnography is most useful in the early stages of a user-
centered design project since it focuses on understanding and developing of the design problem.
Part 3
I would wish to carry research on a question regarding inclusive education for students
with disabilities in higher institutions of learning. The theoretical aspect which appeals to me
best is none other than that of ethnography approach. With the use of ethnography approach, I
will be able to look at the barriers and facilitating factors to participate in inclusive education
from the perspective of parents, teachers' and students with disabilities (Heath & Street, 2015).
Also, ethnography appeals to me most since I will be intensively involved with participants of
disabled students both in their settings and the social world during my period of field work.

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References
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developing grounded theory. Sage publications.
Emerson, R.M, Fretz, R, & Shaw, L.L. (2017). Writing ethnographic field notes. University of
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