Thematic analysis informed by grounded theory (TAG) in healthcare research: foundations and applications

Grounded theory (GT) and thematic analysis (TA) are commonly used in qualitative healthcare research. Published by Glaser and Strauss in 1967, GT was the first set of qualitative research strategies described. TA has since been compared with selected GT strategies. This narrative review aims to examine and illustrate how TA can be informed by GT and elucidate a TA informed by GT (TAG) methodology. Utlizing models of researching practice wisdom and reflexive inquiry, fifty author-published TAG studies (1996–2024) were examined. Analysis delineated a TAG methodology and clarifies Glaser and Strauss's foundational roles in its development. TAG adheres to constructivism. Main GT strategies informing TAG include: comparative, predominantly inductive, and iterative analysis; and coding (data segment labels), category (code group), and thematic (category group) development. TAG can also encompass four-level thematic abstraction, and qualitative inter-rater reliability procedures enhance trustworthiness. TAG is a practical and effective methodological approach for qualitative healthcare research.