Final answer:
Grounded theory is the qualitative research approach used by researchers for the purpose of theory building. It allows the development of theory through systematic data collection and analysis, and differs from other methods like ethnography or phenomenological research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The qualitative research approach that researchers use for the purpose of theory building is known as grounded theory. Grounded theory is a research methodology that allows for the development of theory through the systematic gathering and analysis of data related to the research subject.
Unlike other qualitative methods, grounded theory is explicitly directed at creating conceptual frameworks or theories through an iterative process of data collection and analysis.
For instance, Sigmund Freud developed his theory of human personality utilizing a type of grounded theory through in-depth interviews with his clients, which can be classified as a case study approach.
In contrast to ethnography, which focuses on understanding cultural phenomena, grounded theory does not limit the researcher to a specific group or setting but rather aims to construct a theory that can explain patterns across various contexts.
A symbolic interactionist, who is interested in how individuals interact and create meaning through symbols, might use methods such as participant observation to gain insights into the symbolic worlds of the subjects.
Also, knowledge creation involving lived experiences, as seen in community psychology practice, can be based on the phenomenological approach, which derives knowledge from firsthand experiences.
Lastly, sociological research can follow either deductive reasoning, beginning with a general theory and moving to specific cases, or inductive reasoning, where specific observations lead to broader generalizations.