This is a unit of information analyzed in grounded theory research. It is composed of events, happenings, and instances of phenomenon and given a short label.

In axial coding, these are the categories of conditions that cause or influence the central phenomenon to occur.

In open coding, the researcher chooses a central category around which to develop the theory by examining his or her open coding categories and selecting one that holds the most conceptual interest, is most frequently discussed by participants in the study, and is most "saturated" with information. The researcher then places it at the center of his or her grounded theory model.

Also known as logic diagram. In axial coding, the central phenomenon, causal conditions, context, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences are portrayed in a visual diagram. This diagram is drawn with boxes and arrows indicating the process or flow of activities.

Also known as coding paradigm. It is the theoretical model developed in a grounded theory study. It is helpful to view this diagram as more than axial coding.

This is a diagram that presents the conditions and consequences related to the phenomenon under study. It enables the researcher to both distinguish and link levels of conditions and consequences specified in the axial coding model.

In axial coding, these are the outcomes of strategies taken by participants in the study. These outcomes may be positive, negative, or neutral

This was an early term in grounded theory research that referred to the researcher identifying incidents, events, and activities and constantly comparing· them to an emerging category to develop and saturate the category.

This is a form of grounded theory specifically from the interpretive tradition of qualitative research. As such, it is less structured than traditional approaches to grounded theory. It incorporates the researcher's views; uncovers experiences with embedded, hidden networks, situations, and relationships; and makes visible hierarchies of power, communication, and opportunity

In grounded theory research, the investigator uses the exact words of the interviewee to form the names for these codes or categories. The names are "catchy" and immediately draw the attention of the reader

In axial coding, these are the broader conditions  within which the strategies occur. They might be social, economic, and political forces, for example, that influence the strategies in response to the central phenomenon

This is the process in grounded theory research of the researcher writing down ideas about the evolving theory. In general, these are written records of analysis that help with the formulation of theory.

These are hypotheses, typically written in a directional form, that relate categories in a study. They are written from the axial coding model or paradigm and might, for example, suggest why a certain cause influences the central phenomenon that, in turn, influences the use of a specific strategy.

In data collection, the investigator selects a sample of individuals to study based on their contribution to the development of the theory. Often, this process begins with a homogeneous sample of individuals who are similar, and, as the data collection proceeds and, the categories emerge, the researcher turns to a heterogeneous sample to see under what conditions the categories hold true.