Final answer:
Grounded Theory, by Corbin and Strauss, is a method in social science for generating theory from data, emphasizing inductive development of theory through systematic content analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
​Grounded Theory, developed by sociologists Corbin and Strauss, refers to a research method in social science which involves the generation of theory from data. This approach involves the collection and analysis of data, and as the research progresses, the data help to inform and refine the developing theory. The methodology contrasts with traditional models that start with a theory and then seek to verify it through empirical data. Instead, in Grounded Theory, the theory emerges inductively from the data collected. This approach is closely associated with the symbolic interactionist tradition, aiming to understand how individuals create and interact with social reality. Grounded Theory is methodologically robust and requires researchers to engage in content analysis, systematically recording and evaluating information from secondary data as it relates to the study. This approach is essential in understanding how social processes evolve and is crucial in fields such as sociology, nursing, education, and psychology. The concept is an extension of symbolic interaction theory, which suggests that reality is what humans cognitively construct it to be. The theory underscores the dynamic nature of social life and the importance of human agency in the creation of social worlds.