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Journal of Research in Nursing
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Exploring the influences and use of the literature during a grounded theory study

Helen Heath, PhD, MSc, BSc(Hons), RNT, RM, RN

HSHS (Anglia Ruskin University)

In a grounded theory study, the literature review is delayed until the theory begins to emerge, it is then used as data. This paper will utilise my own research, a grounded theory study of transition to staff nurse as a process of disrupted continuity, to explore some of the issues stemming from this maxim. It starts by considering the debate around the delayed literature review, before illustrating the use of literature as data. In relation to this process, I have coined the terms deductive and inductive theoretical sensitivity and explain these by example. The ongoing vigilance needed to prevent use of literature becoming a distorting influence will be examined by describing the emergence of my core category. Grounded theory has been criticised for ignoring existing theories and failure to integrate the emergent theory with existing knowledge. This criticism is addressed by use of a priori theory and paradigm cases from my data set. Finally, I reverse the first issue by discussing how knowledge of emergent theory can both legitimately shape and unavoidably bias the literature review.

Key Words: grounded theory • theoretical sensitivity • literature review • field of knowledge

Journal of Research in Nursing, Vol. 11, No. 6, 519-528 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1744987106069338
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