300290 Writing a Dissertation with Grounded Theory (MC: Soziologische Methoden - qualitativ) (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

In this course, we will explore how Grounded Theory can serve as a methodological framework for your dissertation. Grounded Theory is a qualitative approach that builds theoretical insights directly from data, offering tools to systematically organize and relate data to conceptual ideas. It can be applied to almost all kinds of data – from ethnographic fieldnotes to interview transcripts or archival documents.

We will begin with a brief discussion of Grounded Theory methodology, and then focus on how to integrate it into your own PhD research. Whether you are just starting out or already deep in data analysis, this course will offer space to reflect on your project. Early-stage researchers can think through how Grounded Theory might shape their research design. For those in the middle of their project, we can look at coding and analytical strategies. If you're in an advanced phase, we can delve into axial and selective coding or discuss theoretical sampling. The course is designed to be dialogical and responsive to your individual research needs.