For the purposes of this study, I am electing to employ a definition of theory derived from a source outside the domain of grounded theory as well as definitions from the original authors of grounded theory. First, a definition of theory from outside the domain of grounded theory: Timasheff, (1967) described theory in the following manner:
A theory is a set of propositions complying, ideally, with the following conditions: one, the propositions must be couched in terms of exactly defined concepts; two, they must be consistent with one another; three, they must be such that from them the existing generalizations could be deductively verified; four, they must be fruitful-show the way to further observations and generalizations increasing the scope of knowledge (p. 10).
In considering Timasheff’s definition, the integrated theory presented in this chapter consists of categories and their properties that are often described in the language used by the participants. Using participants’ language assists the definitions to be consistent with one another. Deductive verification is possible and I seek to offer verification through an examination of existing literature. Additionally, the integrated theory offers a new way to examine the development of the sense of self as leader – especially amongst Vice Presidents Academic in colleges and technical institutes.
Timasheff (1967) also indicated that theory requires creative thinking when he stated:
theory cannot be derived from observations and generalizations merely by means of rigorous induction. The construction of a theory is a creative achievement, and therefore it is not surprising that few among those laboring in the field of a science are able to carry it out. There is always a jump beyond the evidence, a hunch, corresponding to the creative effort. But every theory thus obtained then must be subjected to verification. It is considered verified, in a preliminary way, if no known fact or generalization seems to contradict it. If there is a contradiction, the tentative theory must be rejected or at least modified. (p. 10)
The next definition of theory presented here and offered by Glaser and Strauss (1967) is as follows:
Theory in sociology is a strategy for handling data in research, providing modes of conceptualization for describing and explaining. The theory should provide clear enough categories and hypotheses so that crucial ones can be verified in present and future research; they must be clear enough to be readily operationalized in quantitative studies when these are appropriate. The theory must be readily understandable to sociologists of any viewpoint, to students and to significant laymen. (p. 3)
While the integrated theory is based on inductive analysis of the data arising from interviews, the integration of the categories into the theory required considerable thought and reflection. The categories presented are clear and potentially verifiable. Additionally, the theory is understandable to laymen and professionals alike.
Conducting research using grounded theory as a method requires different procedures than what are normally employed in other traditional qualitative research studies. Chapter 5 in a doctoral dissertation normally does not introduce new literature into the discussion. However, a grounded theory requires that the researcher establish a close connection between the data which gives rise to the theory and to existing literature. Glaser (1978) stated:
but when he starts working his draft he should make a concerted effort to cover as much literature as possible in the same area in which he is writing his theory. Now the job is to compare his work to others and weave it into its place in the pertinent theoretical and substantial literature. It also sensitizes the analyst to rework his theory to the best advantage, as he studies how others are theorizing in the field (p. 139).
For this reason, the presentation of Chapter 5 breaks with traditional doctoral dissertations. In Chapter 4, I presented the emergence of the concepts of the categories and, in Chapter 5, I present a complete integration of the concepts into the theory and weave in the relevant literature. This integration includes an introduction of new literature that could not have been predicted as being relevant to the emerging theory. This literature assists to further integrate the ideas arising in the theory.
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