Grounded theory method: The researcher as blank slate and other myths

Abstract

The use of grounded theory method (GTM) as a research method in information systems has gradually increased over the years as qualitative research in general has become more prevalent in information systems. GTM offers a systematic way to generate theory from data, but is rarely used to its full potential in information systems. We believe that GTM is not used to its full potential in information systems because of a number of myths about its use that do not conform to the reality of the method. These myths - the Researcher as Blank Slate, GTM is Inflexible, GTM Produces Low Level Theories that don't do much, and GTM is Positivist/Interpretivist - are discussed in this paper. Each myth is examined and some implications drawn for the potential use of grounded theory in information systems.