Grounded Theology: Adopting and Adapting Qualitative Research Methods for Feminist Theological Enquiry

Abstract

In feminist theology, the category of experience is given paramount importance. Here I examine this category and, specifically, what constitutes legitimate experience for theological reflection. Contending that both mainstream and feminist theologies dismiss too readily the individual’s quotidian experiences as a resource for exploring the Holy, I detail a methodological approach that combines the qualitative research practice of grounded theory with a Quaker practice of silent waiting, by giving prayerful attention to one-to-one interviews. I call this approach Grounded Theology. I then describe the application of Grounded Theology to the study of quotidian experiences from interview data gathered for the purpose of theological reflection.