ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the intricacies of the research question, literature review, data sources, and data collection techniques, all important components that younger scholars need to prepare for their expedition. The grounded theorist must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to think and to maneuver data theoretically. Review of multidisciplinary literature should be extensive during younger scholar’s research activities. In keeping with grounded theory procedures, academic literature becomes data to be analyzed along with interview, observational and documentary data. The grounded theorist considers all relevant information pertaining to the focus of inquiry as potential data. "All is data" is a grounded theory axiom. Grounded theory methodology should encompass data from multiple sources as a way of clarifying and validating the meaning of behaviors. Different slices of data will ensure a proportioned view of participant perspectives as to why people are behaving as they do.