Preparing the Ground for Grounded Theory: Prerequisites, Pitfalls, and Pathways

Grounded Theory, a ‘bottom-up’ qualitative or mixed-method approach, seeks to explain social processes, dynamics, and dilemmas within contexts such as workplaces, hospitals, or educational institutions. One of the most widely used methodologies in the world today, the Grounded Theory Method is a popular choice among graduate students.

However, due to challenges ranging from an unfamiliarity with the method, a lack of instutitional support, and conflicting advice from published sources and graduate supervisors, students often find it to be more difficult than expected to successfully use Grounded Theory for completing their dissertation or thesis projects.

This seminar consists of two parts. The first introduces the Grounded Theory Method and how to carry it out within the context of graduate study. Special attention will be given to not only the method itself, but also ways to assess one’s personal preparedness and level of institutional fit for doing Grounded Theory. Time framing and potential challenges during the viva will also be considered. The second half of this seminar presents real-life examples of the completed grounded theory projects to serve as exemplars of successful method use.

By the end of this seminar, participants will have a clearer understanding of the essence and practices of Grounded Theory, and of what they will need to do in order to insure their readiness to carry out the methodology within the context of graduate study.

Gregory Hadley is Professor of Sociolinguistics and Western Cultural Studies at Niigata University, Japan, and a Teaching Fellow at the University of Birmingham. Also a Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford, some of his works include English for Academic Purposes in Neoliberal Universities: A Critical Grounded Theory (Springer, 2015), Grounded Theory in Applied Linguistics Research: A Practical Guide, Second Edition (Routledge, 2025), Critical Thinking (Routledge, 2022) with Andrew Boon, and Grounded Theory in Action: Voices from the Field (Edward Elgar, 2026), edited with Antony Bryant.

Open to: General Public, Members of Kellogg College, Oxford University members,