Stefan Radiker presented at MAXDAYS 2025 on “Grounded Theory with MAXQDA.” Radiker said that it all started in 1967 with the publication by Barney Glasser and Anselm Strauss on “The Discovery of Grounded Theory.’ Radiker explained the core principles of Grounded Theory studies:
- It is an iterative process alternating data collection and analysis.
- There is an emphasis on coding using various approaches increasing the level of abstraction of codes and categories
- Memo writing supports analytical thinking and recording of insights.
- Concept mapping helps visualize the theory.
Radiker recommends creating a single MAXQDA project from the beginning of the study and import all the data into the project. Radiker also recommends importing field notes as documents (not as memos). Spending time thinking about the structure of data is also important. Radiker noted that over the years, the emphasis on coding has changed. MAXQDA has an open coding mode that allows you to highlight text and define a code (and set a color and write a memo for it). In-vivo coding mode in MAXQDA uses a piece of the data as the code: the exact phrase is used as a code. MAXQDA also has a Creative Coding mode allowing a user to drag, organize, and connect codes. Radiker explained that Strauss and Corbin in 1990 encouraged creating structures for the data similar to concept maps with causes, consequences, strategies, and phenomenon. MAXMaps helps create these visuals and interact with the codes. Memos in MAXQDA can include colors, descriptions, and additional information. The Memo Manager helps a user organize the memos. Concept maps can be created and manipulated in MAXMaps. There are built-in code structures/templates that can be used. A user can record important findings and graphics in the Questions – Themes – Theories (QTT) worksheets. Radiker then did a live MAXQDA demo to show several of the features mentioned. AI Assist can be used to suggest code topics, including thematic codes. Code segments can be linked in memos. Another powerful feature is to save structures and format them to create templates, for example. Radiker ended the demo and explained that AI Assist can be used to explain unfamiliar terms, summarize documents, suggest new codes, and summarize coded segments, for example. Radiker explained that the Doing Grounded Theory with MAXQDA is a free resource from MAXQDA available to download. During the questions section, Radiker responded by noting that there are AI Assist resources and users should always use anonymized data. Radiker explained that in Grounded Theory you work with the data and try to reach a level of abstraction by analyzing your data. Codes should be organized and noted (with memos) to be categorized for use and analysis. I am learning with these sessions!
