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theoretical disciplines and perspectives, both objectivist and constructivist. The rigor of grounded

theory allows a clear set of guidelines for the development of qualitative researchers using

explanatory frameworks (Charmaz, 2003). Certainly, some of my writing will be “interpretative”!

Clarke sought to push the framework of grounded theory in a different direction. Clarke’s

(2005) situational analysis is based on Strauss’s framework for understanding and mapping social

worlds/arenas/negotiations from the perspective of the individual in relation to a complex arena of

sub-worlds representing all or parts of related interactions and discourses in highly fluid world of

production, communities, or social movements. Clarke (2005) sought to expand grounded theory

with situational analysis through mapping of “nonhuman elements in situations in addition to

human elements and shifted the analysis from social worlds to situations” (pp. 78-79). As an

alternative to traditional grounded theory analysis, situational analysis incorporates “extant

narrative, visual and historical discourse materials” (Clarke, 2005, p. xxiii) into the inquiry

process.

The objective of the researcher, applying grounded theory method, is not to simply hear

about the experiences of those interviewed, but to observe participants in a social Metasphere and

study interactions to understand fully their ideas and perceptions within a group context. Research

from an interpretive perspective promotes an “honoring of participants’ stories about the world in

which they live” (Mills, Bonner, & Francis, 2006, p. 28). As a method, grounded theory, is a good

fit for developing further insight into a process of human interaction and social engagement that

supports discovery, reflection, and new knowledge creation from the awkwardness of taxing

communication that requires relational work (Locher, 2004) and working through (Yankelovich,

1991). While grounded theory research practices do not require direct observation, field notes

documenting the civic dialogue spaces and group interactions that occurred in various gathering

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