Grounded Theory: A Research Methodology for E-Learning

Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that is explicitly different from other methods in that it does not test a hypothesis but seeks, rather, to understand the research situation. In a recent study of the experiences of Arab students studying in online or blended courses in which the language of instruction was English, a grounded theory methodology was used to discover the main concern of these students. The research looked at the identity of the students, their motivation, attitudes, achievements and approaches to studying online and how these students characterized their learning experiences. Data were gathered via surveys, interviews, focus groups and observations and were coded and analysed. The main concern of the students was discovered and stated in their own words.