Multi-Ethnic, Multisource Grounded Theory: Illustration From a Study Investigating Why Inequities in Survival Occur By Ethnicity

Equity in healthcare is the ideal state where everyone shares equal rights and opportunities. To date, research methodologies are limited in their scope to translate into more equitable healthcare policies and practices. We present a re-interpreted grounded theory methodology to contribute to active dialogue toward optimizing equity through research. This re-interpreted research methodology is presented within a study investigating why ethnic disparities in infant survival from critical congenital heart disease occur in a multi-ethnic national setting in New Zealand. Using dialectical pluralism, we developed an innovative Multi-ethnic, Multisource Grounded Theory methodological concept by deliberately integrating Indigenous and multi-ethnic intersectional perspectives on health inequities from diverse data sources (literature reviews, retrospective case studies, and interview transcripts). Central to the process was the uplifting and centralizing of Indigenous voices. Conceptually, Multi-ethnic, Multisource Grounded Theory could reframe an existing research domain to equip researchers with a framework to intentionally integrate cultural considerations when building information from diverse data in the health equity space. Theoretically, this approach could enhance methodological rigour and support the translation of responsible, ethical, and equitable healthcare models.