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Theoretical sensitivity

Theoretical sensitivity. Strauss, Anselm and Corbin, Juliet, 1990. Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Newbury Park, CA and London: Sage Publications. Theoretical Sensitivity, 41-47. Techniques for Enhancing Theoretical Sensitivity, 75-95.

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Theoretical sensitivity

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  1. Theoretical sensitivity • Strauss, Anselm and Corbin, Juliet, 1990. Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Newbury Park, CA and London: Sage Publications. • Theoretical Sensitivity, 41-47. • Techniques for Enhancing Theoretical Sensitivity, 75-95. • Theoretical Sampling, 176-193 (includes Definition of Terms).

  2. Theoretical sensitivity Definition (41-41) • Theoretical sensitivity refers to a personal quality of the researcher It indicates an awareness of the subtleties of meaning of data. One can come to the research situation with varying degrees of sensitivity depending upon previous reading and experience with or relevant to an area. It can also be development further during the research process. Theoretical sensitivity refers to the attribute of having insight, the ability to give meaning to data the capacity to understand, and capability to separate the pertinent from that which isn’t. All this is done in conceptual rather than concrete terms. It is theoretical sensitivity that allows one to develop a theory that is grounded, conceptually dense, and well integrated – and it do this more quickly than if this sensitivity were lacking.

  3. Theoretical sensitivity Sources of Theoretical Sensitivity • Research literature • Professional experience if one is fortunate to have had this experience • Personal experience • Aim to discover and think about differences, variations

  4. Theoretical sensitivity Literature • To ‘sensitize’ you to what is going on with the phenomenon you are studying

  5. Theoretical sensitivity Professional experience if one is fortunate to have such experience • Advantage -- e.g. a nurse has rich knowledge base and insight available to draw upon • Disadvantage – can also block you from seeing things that have become routine or ‘obvious’

  6. Theoretical sensitivity Personal experience • Advantage – for understanding • But we need to careful not to assume that another’s experience is similar to ours • Aim always to think about and discover differences, variations

  7. Theoretical sensitivity Analytic process • As you interact with the data, think of being in a dialogue with the data, in a conversation with your data Constant comparative method • Local theories – think about developing local theories To develop your ‘local theory’ – your interpretation, your understanding, you will want to look at the data again • To look for interactions between data, between different sources of information, between different times Theoretical sensivity means continually increasing sensitivity to concepts, their meanings and relationships • To give insight and also to see the boundaries of your understanding as it evolves (theoretical understanding)

  8. Theoretical sensitivity • Periodically step back and ask: • what is going on here? • Does what I think, fit the reality of the data? • Maintain an attitude of reflection or skepticism • In other words be your own critic • Consider alternative interpretations • Consider whether an interpretation opposite to yours can be made from the same data (one way to take up the ‘falsifiability’ principle, in interpretative and qualitative research)

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