紮根理論研究法（grounded theory）最初是由Barney Glaser和Anselm Strauss在1960年代發展出來的，到了1970年代逐漸成為護理研究的方法之一，此一研究方法試圖從會談資料（data）中尋求理論上的提議（theoretical propositions）去解釋所討論的社會現象。紮根理論研究法不從理論開始而是從所收集的資料中去尋求建構有意義的內涵，理論從而由資料中浮現。紮根理論非常適用於一些複雜且尚未被廣泛研究的領域。換言之，紮根理論可用於探討一些尚未被研究的領域或者是對特定族群、地區的研究尚未有清晰聯結的領域。紮根理論研究將資料分析的過程分為三個層次：開放性譯碼（open coding）、主軸譯碼（axial coding）及選擇性譯碼（selective coding）。本篇文章的主要目的在探討紮根理論研究法的研究過程，包括以紮根理論為理論架構及在資料分析時的主要工具，期望給讀者一個對紮根理論研究法的初步概念。

Grounded theory, first developed by Glaser and Strauss in the 1960s, was introduced into nursing education as a distinct research methodology in the 1970s. The theory is grounded in a critique of the dominant contemporary approach to social inquiry, which imposed “enduring” theoretical propositions onto study data. Rather than starting from a set theoretical framework, grounded theory relies on researchers distinguishing meaningful constructs from generated data and then identifying an appropriate theory. Grounded theory is thus particularly useful in investigating complex issues and behaviours not previously addressed and concepts and relationships in particular populations or places that are still undeveloped or weakly connected. Grounded theory data analysis processes include open, axial and selective coding levels. The purpose of this article was to explore the grounded theory research process and provide an initial understanding of this methodology.