A grounded theory research project focused on understanding the reasons families enroll children in IB schools:

Initial Research Question:

Broad Focus: Begin with a general research question, such as “What are the key factors that influence families’ decisions to enroll their children in IB schools?”

Avoid Preconceived Notions: At this stage, avoid forming specific hypotheses or theories. The goal is to let the data guide the research.

Data Collection:

In-Depth Interviews: Conduct open-ended interviews with a diverse sample of families who have enrolled their children in international schools.

Observations: If possible, observe interactions within international school settings to gain additional insights.

Document Analysis: Review relevant documents like school brochures, websites, and educational policies.

Data Analysis

Open Coding:

Break Down Data: Divide interview transcripts, observation notes, and documents into smaller units (e.g., sentences, paragraphs).

Initial Coding: Assign initial codes to these units based on their content and meaning. These codes should be descriptive and capture the essence of the data.

Axial Coding:

Develop Categories: Group similar codes together to form broader categories.

Identify Relationships: Explore the relationships between categories and subcategories.

Formulate Hypotheses: Start developing preliminary hypotheses about the factors influencing enrollment decisions.

Selective Coding:

Core Category: Identify a core category that represents the central phenomenon being studied (e.g., “the pursuit of global citizenship”).

Integrate Data: Connect all other categories to the core category, forming a more comprehensive theoretical framework.

Theoretical Sampling:

Refine Research Focus: As the analysis progresses, refine your research focus based on emerging themes and categories.

Collect Additional Data: Conduct further interviews or observations with specific groups or individuals to deepen understanding of particular aspects of the phenomenon.

Theory Development:

Refine Hypotheses: Continuously refine and test hypotheses based on the accumulating data.

Develop a Theory: Construct a well-supported theory that explains the factors influencing families’ decisions to enroll their children in international schools.

Present Findings: Clearly communicate the research findings and the developed theory through a written report or presentation.
Key Considerations:

Theoretical Sensitivity: Throughout the research process, maintain a keen awareness of the theoretical implications of the data.

Memo-Writing: Regularly write memos to document your thoughts, insights, and methodological decisions.

Peer Debriefing: Discuss your research with colleagues or peers to gain alternative perspectives and insights.

By following these steps, you can conduct a rigorous grounded theory study that provides valuable insights into the complex factors that motivate families to choose international schools for their children’s education.