Doing Abstraction

For many researchers, abstraction is almost characteristic of qualitative

method, and it is certainly one.

There are three different methods in doing abstraction. They are:

1. Phenomenology
The abstraction does not occur until one has the data: Previous
ideas and knowledge are bracketed.
The abstraction comes from themes and meanings in accounts,
texts.
The abstraction is done by deep immersion, focus, thorough
reading.
The goal of abstraction is to describe the essence of a
phenomenon.

2. Ethnography
The abstraction occurs when prior knowledge of site, situation;
understanding develops during field research.
The abstraction comes from knowledge of social and economic
setting; observation and learning from the setting.
The abstraction is done by research by rich description;
combination of qualitative and quantitative patterning; coding,
comparing, reviewing field notes.
The goal of abstraction is to identify themes and patterns; to
explain and account for a social and cultural situation.

3. Grounded theory
The abstraction is from the data, but can be informed by
previously derived theories.
The abstraction comes from categories derived from data
(observations or line-by-line analysis of texts); constant
comparison with other situations or settings.
The abstraction is done by theoretical sensitivity; seeking
concepts and their dimensions; open coding, dimensionalizing,
memo writing, diagramming.
The goal of abstraction is to identify a core category and theory
grounded in the data.