Grounded Practical Theory

Abstract

Grounded practical theory (GPT) is a metatheoretical and methodological framework for developing normative theories that can inform reflective thinking on communication problems and practices. Informed by the traditions of Aristotelian practical philosophy and American pragmatism,GPTis based on the principles of communication as a practical discipline, according to which an essential purpose of communication studies is to cultivate the practice of communication in society. The conceptual framework ofGPTallows for communicative practices to be reconstructed at three interrelated conceptual levels: the problem level, the technical level, and the philosophical level. The formal research process ofGPTincludes four main elements: framing a practice for study; empirical data collection and qualitative analysis; theoretical reconstruction of the practice according to the three‐level conceptual framework; and formulation of normative theoretical claims concerning the practice. Several examples ofGPTresearch are described, and related theoretical approaches are discussed.

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