Example methodology dissertation topic 10:

The importance of Boyatzis (1998) and Glaser and Strauss (1967) to contemporary approaches to methodology.

From a methodological viewpoint ‘grounded theory’ is often taken to refer to the theoretical explanations about the social world that emerge from empirical data. This approach was developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967), in order to conduct research that generates inductive and qualitative theories. In addition, it is widely acknowledged that a more formal definition of thematic analysis was developed by Boyatzis in 1998. Moreover, his technique recognises that in order to analyse appropriately unrelated or dissimilar information, a theme or pattern must be discerned that describes and organises the possible observations (Boyatzis, 1998). This dissertation reviews the importance of the work of these authors to prevailing attitudes to the collation of research.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Boyatzis, R.E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. London: SAGE.
• Glaser, B.G. and Strauss, A.L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine Publishing.
• Sandberg, J. (2005). ‘How do we justify knowledge produced with interpretive approaches?’ Organizational Research Methods, vol. 8(1), pp. 41-68.