Philosophical and methodological dimensions of grounded theory in architectural research: Content analysis of Turkish doctoral dissertations

Grounded theory, originally developed in the social sciences as a systematic method for generating theory from data, has evolved into a flexible and philosophically diverse approach applied across multiple disciplines. Although its potential for theory-building aligns well with the needs of architectural research, its use within the field remains limited and often methodologically inconsistent. This study critically examines how grounded theory has been applied and adapted in architectural research by analyzing eleven doctoral dissertations completed in Türkiye between 2015 and 2024. Using content analysis, the dissertations were systematically evaluated across eight categories, including method, aim, data set, data collection techniques, data coding, data display, engaging with grounded theory literature and coding process transparency. The findings reveal three overarching themes that characterize the current use of grounded theory in Turkish architectural research: Methodological adaptation and philosophical pluralism, knowledge construction through multi-layered data practices, and the need for analytical transparency. While the dissertations demonstrate the method’s adaptability, they also highlight recurring issues such as terminological ambiguity, fragmented coding strategies, and insufficient engagement with core grounded theory processes including theoretical sampling, constant comparison, and theoretical saturation. By identifying methodological gaps and emerging tendencies, this study contributes to defining a clearer and more coherent framework for the future use of grounded theory in architecture.

Keywords: Grounded theory, architectural design research, architectural research methods, qualitative research, content analysis.