Carefully-selected SAGE Journal articles expand upon chapter material, and accompanying exercises offer practice in applying the concepts.

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Article 1: Glaser, B. G. (2002). Conceptualization: On theory and theorizing using grounded theory. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 1(2), 23-38.

Summary: Conceptualization is the core category of grounded theory.

Questions to Consider

1. A theory explains how and why variables are related, acting as a bridge between or among the variables. What is your research telling you?
2. Glaser discussed the different levels of conceptualization that researchers can possess. How comfortable are you with your level of conceptualization based on your literature review?
3. How does theory generation compare between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research?

Article 2: Charmaz, K. (2015). Teaching theory construction with initial grounded theory tools: A reflection on lessons and learning. Qualitative Health Research, 25(12), 1610-1622.

Summary: This article addresses criticisms of qualitative research for spawning studies that lack analytic development and theoretical import.

Questions to Consider

1. Creswell discussed how researchers increasingly use a theoretical lens or perspective in qualitative research, which can shape questions being asked or how data are collected and analyzed. Do you have a lens or perspective already?
2. Charmaz (2015) included an exercise (Box 1) in this article. Read, analyze, and rework some of these interview questions. What was your justification for the changes you made to the questions? 

Article 3: Lynham, S. A. (2002). Quantitative research and theory building: Dubin’s method. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 4(3), 242-276.

Summary: It is the purpose of this chapter to present the reader with both the form, that is, the shape, structure, and outward appearance, as well as the substance, or what might be considered as the essence, of a quantitative theory-building methodology.

Questions to Consider

1. Dubin’s first component (hypothetico-deductive approach) helps a quantitative researcher create an informed, conceptual framework of the theory. What are some of these initial components (units, laws of interaction, boundaries, system states) based on your literature review?
2. Dubin used the term “perpetual theory building” to indicate that one is never done with theory building. Has your theory changed throughout the research process?
3. Quantitative theory building links the independent and dependent variables. Create a visual theoretical model portraying the relationship between your variables