3.2 Research Procedures
Marcos Antonio de Lima Filho, PhD.
A grounded theory’s final product is a theory derived from data. The following list outlines how this theory came to be, from the initial data collection to the integration of emerging concepts into a theory about design evolution. To facilitate comprehension, I have structured this research’s journey into a series of steps. In practice, however, classic grounded theory employs a highly iterative approach. The sections that follow go into greater detail about these procedures:
The investigation began with an inductive and exploratory examination of smartphone specifications.
The process of evolution emerged early in data collection and analysis. Evolution seemed to shed light on the primary process behind the data.
To check if evolution was a good core category, I started researching evolution in another subject area: biology.
The collection of smartphone specifications proceeded in tandem with the literature review on evolutionary theory.
Darwin postulated that species evolve by natural selection. This process has four main patterns: disruptive selection, directional selection, stabilising selection, and negative or purifying selection.
I tested the interchangeability and transferability of these patterns and found them to be applicable to a wide range of species. Then, when applied to smartphone data, these patterns could be verified in the data across several product dimensions.
Theoretical sampling widened the scope of comparison. The research would then proceed by comparing three distinct fields: Darwinian evolution, smartphone evolution, and commercial aircraft evolution.
Data collection resumed, this time more structured and focused. Web scraping techniques were used to collect product specifications and production lists.
Given the importance of disruptive selection for evolutionary theory, the literature was expanded to include disruptive innovation theory.
Data visualisation techniques were used to ground the concepts of disruptive selection, directional selection, stabilising selection, and purifying selection on the data. The charts also facilitated comparisons between biological evolution and the evolution of smartphones and aircraft.
Based on evolutionary patterns, the research focused on conceptualising four types of innovation. They were integrated into a theory of design evolution.
Thesis writing and first submission.
The examiners requested some revisions to the thesis, such as “write a distinct literature review section that positions this work within the field”.
A second literature review was conducted. The examiners required a revision of earlier research on design evolution and disruptive innovation (Sections 2.2 and 2.8). As such, this second review was conducted following the conclusion of the research and integration of its theory, in accordance with how Grounded Theory typically approaches literature.
The datasets of smartphones and commercial aircraft were expanded and updated.
Thesis writing and second submission.
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