Grounded theory methodology – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C and E accurately portray grounded theory as a methodology that develops theory inductively from data. Data collection and analysis are intertwined, with theoretical sampling and constant comparison used to refine categories and relationships. Statement D is false because grounded theory does not start from a rigid prior framework; rather, it allows categories and theory to emerge from the data. Therefore the correct combination includes A, B, C and E but not D.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it brings together the statements that describe the emergent, iterative and comparative nature of grounded theory. By excluding D, it respects the inductive spirit of the approach, where theory is discovered rather than imposed beforehand.

Option B:
Option B omits E, thereby neglecting constant comparison, which is one of the most characteristic analytic strategies in grounded theory. Without E, the methodological description is incomplete.

Option C:
Option C includes B, C and E but leaves out A, so it does not explicitly state that the main goal is to develop grounded theory. The absence of A takes away the overarching purpose of the methodology.

Option D:
Option D contains A, C and E but omits B, ignoring the iterative interplay between data collection and analysis. Since this iterative process is central to grounded theory, leaving it out makes the option incomplete.