How to construct a research model through qualitative analysis?

Constructing research models through qualitative analysis involves developing theoretical frameworks grounded in empirical data to explain complex phenomena. It is a systematic and feasible approach for generating new insights. The process relies on iterative data collection and analysis, primarily using methods like grounded theory. Key principles include constant comparison (simultaneously collecting and analyzing data to refine categories), theoretical sampling (selecting new data sources based on emerging concepts), and pursuing theoretical saturation (collecting data until no new insights emerge). Essential considerations encompass methodological rigor through techniques such as member checking and maintaining audit trails, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness throughout the analysis. Implementation typically involves several stages: gathering rich qualitative data via interviews or observations; conducting initial open coding to identify basic concepts; performing axial coding to relate and categorize these concepts; and engaging in selective coding to integrate categories into a coherent, overarching model that explains the core phenomenon. This model proves valuable in applied research for developing testable theories, informing intervention designs, and understanding context-specific processes in fields like organizational studies or policy analysis.