A topic in research methodology
The slogan "all is data"is associated with grounded theory methodology.
A notion from grounded theory research is that everything should be treated as potential data in a research study.
“GT works with any data—"all is data"—not just one specific data”
Glaser & Holton, 2004: ¶3.3
One interpretation is that literature should be treated no different than empirical data collected in the study. In most studies a clear distinction is maintained between ideas deriving from the research literature reviewed before the study commences and the analysis of data collected later.
In GT studies the analyst does not seek to form a definitive conceptual framework fro the study by completing a literature review prior to collecting data, but continues to read throughout the study, including new areas of reading suggested by reflecting on data collected.
“The hard thought necessary to generate good ideas requires that the analyst treat ‘all as data’ at some level. Whether his material is research data, other ideas on it or the literature, it is to be compared to the ongoing data and memos [i.e., analytic memos] for the purpose of generating the best fitting and working idea.”
Glaser, 1978, p.8
Sources cited:
- Glaser, Barney G. (1978) Theoretical Sensitivity: Advances in the Methodology of Grounded Theory, California: The Sociology Press, 1978.
- Glaser, Barney G. & Holton, Judith (2004) Remodeling Grounded Theory, Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 5(2), Article 4).
My introduction to educational research:
Taber, K. S. (2013). Classroom-based Research and Evidence-based Practice: An introduction (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
