Core category

A key concept in grounded theory methodology is that of a core category which will emerge during the analysis of data.

“As the researcher proceeds to compare incident to incident in the data, then incidents to categories, a core category begins to emerge. This core variable, which appears to account for most of the variation around the concern or problem that is the focus of the study, becomes the focus of further selective data collection and coding efforts.”

“The criteria for establishing the core variable within a GT are that it is central, relating to as many other categories and their properties as possible and accounting for a large portion of the variation in a pattern of behavior. The core variable reoccurs frequently in the data and comes to be seen as a stable pattern that is more and more related to other variables. It relates meaningfully and easily with other categories.”

“As the analyst develops several workable coded categories, he/she should begin early to saturate as much as possible those that seem to have explanatory power. The core variable can be any kind of theoretical code—a process, a condition, two dimensions, a consequence, a range and so forth. Its primary function is to integrate the theory and render it dense and saturated.” (Glaser & Holton, 2004, ¶54)

Glaser, Barney G. & Holton, Judith (2004) Remodeling Grounded Theory, Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 5(2), Article 4.

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