Exploring Caregiver Grief

Preparing a research protocol using Glaserian (classic) grounded theory (GT) is often challenging for novice researchers due to aspects of the methodology deviating from more familiar quantitative research and also from some aspects of other qualitative methods. Yet, universities and ethics review boards often expect certain information to be presented for the researcher to receive approval to begin data collection. This article provides an example of a Glaserian (classic) GT protocol approved by an ethics review board. The exemplar explains how Glaserian (classic) GT will be used to formulate a theory about the primary concerns and behaviors of spousal caregivers who have lost their partners to Parkinson's disease. In-depth interviews of bereaved spousal caregivers will be analyzed using constant comparative method to identify the participants' main concern and the behaviors used to address it. The unique nature of Glaserian (classic) GT necessitates navigating institutional requirements by providing the required information with the protocol while also educating the reader about GT.