A Methodological Evaluation of the Grounded Thematic Interpretation

Abstract

Grounded theory is one of the most popular analytical methods used for qualitative data which is used in the Quranic studies and thematic interpretations in recent decades. The process of theory production by this method is through relevant data collection, coding, categorization and conceptualization. The application of this analytical method in the interpretation of various Qur'anic topics has been shown in some works, but this method has not been methodologically evaluated. And if a work claims to evaluate the process, it is only in a limited area and with a specific orientation. This article tries to explain the basics of this method, to introduce the differences between its application in Qur’anic sciences and humanities studies, and finally to answer the problems that have been raised about the capabilities of this method in thematic interpretation. As a result, the paper shows that grounded theory has an algorithm which can be systematically applied, and it can be used in a systematic way to discover the divine purpose.

Keywords

• thematic interpretation
• methodological evaluation
• grounded theory
• coding