Using diagrams to support the research process: examples from grounded theory

Despite their potential for yielding an understanding of the conceptualisation being developed, diagrams remain one of the least utilised tools in the analytical process. They have been used by interpretive investigators at various stages of the research process, for example, as artefacts to stimulate discussion in interviews, assisting the researcher in formulating ideas, refining conceptualisations in the process of theory building and communicating ideas to others. This article has two main objectives: first, to begin to explore some of the intricacies associated with the use of diagrams in grounded theory, and second, to use case study material from two separate projects, which adopted individual approaches to grounded theory, to investigate young peoples’ attitudes towards physical activity; it outlines the ways in which diagrams and drawings were used differently by researchers at various stages to support the research process and ongoing analysis of data.