J Forensic Sci Educ 2022, 4(2) 

2022 Journal Forensic Science Education  Botch-Jones 

A review of grounded theory-mixed methods analysis and potential 

application to forensic science education research and practice 
 
Sabra Botch-Jones, MS, MA

1,2*
, Ronald R. Thrasher, PhD

1
, B. Bavette Miler, PhD

1
, James D. Hess, 

PhD
1
, Jarrad Wagner, PhD

1
 

 
1
Oklahoma State University, Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA; 

 
2
Boston University School of Medicine, Biomedical Forensic Sciences, Boston, MA, USA 

*Corresponding author: sabraj@bu.edu 

 

Abstract: Grounded theory has been used in qualitative research for over sixty years and in many subject 

areas. It has allowed researchers to “ground” their theory in data that is systematically gathered, sampled, 

coded, categorized, and analyzed. Within science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 

education, programs focused on forensic science may benefit from grounded theory mixed methods 

research that assesses program design, content delivery, student experiences, faculty demographics, and 

allocated resources. This study set out to identify and characterize current peer reviewed articles in 

grounded theory mixed methods research in STEM education. A literature search using PubMed (US 

National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) and Google Scholar 

(Mountain View, CA, USA) was conducted to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles using the search 

terms "grounded theory", "research", "science”, “technology”, “engineering”, “mathematics”, “education”, 
“graduate”, “undergraduate”, “educational standards”, and “STEM”. Research from the past decade (range 

2011-2021) was targeted for both graduate and undergraduate education. Using these key terms and search 

parameters, 165 results in Google Scholar and 20 in PubMed were identified.  However, after a closer 

examination, only 37 and 16, respectively, of the articles were relevant to grounded theory mixed method 

analysis in higher education research (n=53). Using the identified articles in educational research and 

practice revealed a total of 52 themes that occurred in at least two or more journal articles. The most 

studied themes were “applied practice” (18 items), “culture/environments/community/climate/socio-

cognitive” (17 items), “communication/handoffs/interpersonal skills” (14 items), “pedagogy” (13 items), 

“knowledge building/acquisition/learning theory” (12 items), “resources (education and research)” (11 

items), and “innovation” (11 items). This review highlights numerous educational research themes or key 

topics that may help us understand and improve educational outcomes in STEM higher education including 

forensic science. It is essential that future forensic scientists obtain a level of academic/technical 
competence, communication/interpersonal skills, protective mechanisms, adaptive skills, professional 

attitudes, and ethical judgment. These themes should be evaluated with a focus on forensic science to 

enhance the education students receive and the skills they start out with in their careers. 

 

Keywords (Audience): educators, academics, undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate  

Keywords (Domain): grounded theory, mixed methods, education research, forensic science education  
Keywords (Pedagogy): synchronous, asynchronous, traditional, hybrid, on-line 

Key Words (Topics): grounded theory in education, forensic education, educational standards, education 

best practices, pedagogy 
.   

Introduction 

 

Educational research is essential to develop best 

practices, identify and further investigate deficiencies in 

current approaches, and ultimately improve student 

outcomes. Within STEM education, programs focused on 

forensic science may benefit from research that assesses 

the role educational standards play in program design and 

content delivery, student experiences, faculty 

demographics, allocated resources, and more. 
Historically, grounded theory, developed by Glaser and 

Straus, has been used in qualitative research for over sixty 

years and in many subject areas (1). It has allowed 

researchers to “ground” their theory in data that is 

systematically gathered, sampled, coded, categorized, and 

analyzed. Further, Charmaz, Thornberg and other 

researchers have explored grounded theory and note that 

it can aid in the development of strategies for theoretical 

analyses, in the generation of new concepts, contribute to 

the larger body of scientific knowledge, as well as help to 

guide policy development and practices (2-5). In the work 
of Taber, who explored case studies of grounded theory 

mailto:sabraj@bu.edu


J Forensic Sci Educ 2022, 4(2) 

2022 Journal Forensic Science Education  Botch-Jones 

and research in science education, they found “grounded 

theory approach claims to produce testable 

outcomes…..and is intended to lead to predictions which 

may be subject to traditional experimental and statistical 

testing”(6). We noted in our previous work that forensic 
science education is relatively new in comparison to other 
STEM disciplines as is its content delivery via non-

traditional, on-line or hybrid academic programs (7). We 

found that published research on forensic science 

education effectiveness is limited (8-12). Forensic science 

has been characterized as a hands-on career, with various 

sub disciplines including seven overarching scientific 

areas: biology, digital multimedia, medicine, scene 

examination, physics/pattern interpretation, and chemistry 

(13). Each of these forensic disciplines utilizes hands-on 

techniques whether in the field or in the laboratory. Since 

1977, several reviews of forensic educational programs 

have been published that highlight the variability in 
academic programs, course work, faculty demographics, 

laboratory courses offered, as well as the perspectives on 

hiring decisions regarding forensic science degrees (8-

12). Further, with the creation of the Forensic Science 

Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) 

there has been a shift from unaccredited to accredited 

forensic programs with the adoption and implementation 

of meeting accreditation standards (14). 

Educational research utilizing grounded theory mixed 

methods analysis, whether focused on forensic science or 

not, could help guide future research on the effectiveness 
of forensic science education. Therefore, this study set out 

to identify and characterize current peer reviewed articles 

in grounded theory mixed methods research in STEM 

education regardless of pedagogy.   

 

Methods 

 
A literature search using PubMed (US National 

Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 

Bethesda, MD, USA) and Google Scholar (Mountain 

View, CA, USA) was conducted to identify relevant peer-

reviewed articles. The search terms "grounded theory", 
"research", "science”, “technology”, “engineering”, 

“education”, “mathematics”, “graduate”, 

“undergraduate”, “educational standards”, and “STEM" 

were used to identify research in this area. Research from 

the past decade (range 2011-2021) was targeted for both 

graduate and undergraduate education. Using these key 

terms and search parameters, 165 results in Google 

Scholar and 20 in PubMed were identified.  However, 

after a closer examination, only 37 and 16 of the articles, 

respectively, were relevant to grounded theory mixed 

method analysis in higher education research (n=53). 
Each of the articles were assessed for targeted educational 

research related to general and STEM higher education 

research/practice. The selection, screening, eligibility, 

exclusion, and inclusion process can be viewed in 

FIGURE 1. 

 

 
FIGURE 1 Peer-reviewed article selection, screening, 

eligibility, exclusion, and inclusion process (15). 

 

Results and Discussion 

 

Themes Identified 

 
Using the published research on grounded theory 

mixed method analysis in educational research and 

practice revealed a total of 52 themes or thematic groups 

that occurred in at least two or more journal articles 

(TABLE 1). The most studied themes identified were 

“applied practice” (18 items), 

“culture/environments/community/ climate/socio-

cognitive” (17 items), “communication/ 

handoffs/interpersonal skills” (14 items), “pedagogy” (13 

items), “knowledge building/acquisition/learning theory” 

(12 items), “resources (education and research)” (11 
items), and “innovation” (11 items). “Mixed methods” 

(13 items) was also a theme that was specifically 

identified in the article selection process, in addition to 

qualitative and quantitative analyses which is often used 

interchangeably with mixed methods. 

 

TABLE 1 Identified themes in grounded theory mixed-

methods research. 

 

 
 

In addition to those listed in TABLE 1, other themes 

identified but limited to one occurrence included 



J Forensic Sci Educ 2022, 4(2) 

2022 Journal Forensic Science Education  Botch-Jones 

“accountability”, “continuity”, “disengagement”, “faculty 

development”, “flexibility”, “immersive”, “indifference”, 

“problem-based learning”, “promote”, “relevance”, 

“structure”, and “service”. These topics may not have been 

studied using grounded theory and/or mixed methodologies 

extensively, but some, if not all, may warrant further 
exploration. Although there were over 50 identified themes, 

some were combined into thematic groups due to topic 

similarity (i.e., culture, environment, community, climate, 

data, resources, etc.) and/or targeted behavior (i.e., 

communication, interpersonal skills, learning/knowledge, 

etc.). Further, multiple themes or thematic groups may 

occur in a single article. 

 

Applied Practice and Laboratory-Based Instruction 
 

Laboratory based instruction, applied practice, and 

hands on skill acquisition, are key elements of scientific 

education, regardless of the discipline. Grounded theory 

and/or mixed methodologies have been used to evaluate 

effective themes in laboratory instruction (16-23). 

Communication has been found to be essential in learning 

and group collaboration. Peer to peer learning has been 

studied and found to be “crucial to students’ knowledge 

acquisition through lab work” (24-25). A theme that not 

only arises in grounded theory research on laboratory 
instruction, but other educational research, is culture and 

how it can influence individual productivity, affect 

motivations, and facilitate, as well as possibly impede, 

progress in full student participation (26-31). The 

application of forensic science theoretical knowledge in 

applied practice and/or laboratory settings is essential. 

Indeed, FEPAC standards state that “FEPAC acknowledges 

that laboratory-based instruction is integral to any science-

based discipline such as forensic science” (14). Emphasis is 

placed on resource allocation to program laboratories, 

including equipment and supplies, and must demonstrate 

that the program is able to meet the standard for 
accreditation (14). The standard shows preference to 

faculty members with working experience in forensic 

organizations and the program must interact with local 

forensic science laboratories. 

 

Culture/Environments/Community/Climate 
 

As previously noted, culture/environments/ 

community/climate can influence an individuals’ ability to 

become fully participating laboratory members. 

Organizational climate, culture, community, and 
environments were the second most common theme group 

identified (17 items) (26-27, 29-32). Researchers found that 

the structure of the laboratory and effective communication 

can “influence group collaboration and individual learning” 

(30). Peer to peer interaction and collaboration has been 

found to influence knowledge acquisition. Culture can 

influence individual motivation, productivity, 

communication, educational interventions, collaboration, 

applied practice, and create as well as break down barriers 

(28-30). In 2009, the United States Department of Justice 

released the report “Strengthening Forensic Science in the 

United States: A Path Forward” and highlighted culture in 
several sections (33). The report stated that “It [forensic 

science] must have a culture that is strongly rooted in 

science, with strong ties to the national research and 

teaching communities, including federal laboratories” and 

that “This culture leads to continued reexamination of past 

research and hence increased knowledge” (33). 

 

Communication, Handoffs, and Interpersonal Skills 

 

As important as culture is communication, handoffs, 

and interpersonal skills (14 items) (20, 30, 34-36). A 

handoff, in terms of medicine, is important for patient 
care, where key information is communicated from one 

practitioner to another that is essential for the quality of 

medical outcomes (37). Miscommunication due to 

ineffective handoffs may result in harm to patients. This 

review identified that communication influences group 

collaboration, self-directed learning, and facilitates 

collaboration (20,23, 26, 34, 36, 38-39). Communication 

can occur in innovative ways such as with the use of 

social media to facilitate peer interaction (40). Peer-peer 

interaction can be an important factor in education, 

especially knowledge acquisition through laboratory 
practice (30). Further, effective student faculty interaction 

can have “implications for achieving mastery of core 

competencies” (39). With regard to effective handoffs in 

medicine, students need to “learn key information, be 

open to guidance, apply clinical knowledge, be concise, 

incorporate delivery strategies, and be open to 

styles/preferences of handoff recipients” (41). Handoffs, 

although not often characterized as such, occur in other 

areas including forensic science. Ineffective 

communication both within and outside forensic 

organizations such as through expert testimony can have 

severe consequences on the outcome of a criminal case. 
Further, information that is “handed off” to a forensic 

analyst may result in cognitive bias (42). In forensic 

science, providing and reserving information that could 

influence forensic evidence analysis, also known as linear 

sequential unmasking, is an approach that attempts to 

reduce bias through withholding task-irrelevant 

information (i.e., race, gender, etc.) from the forensic 

scientist until the analysis of evidence is complete (43-

44). 

 

Pedagogy, Knowledge Building/Acquisition, 

Innovation and Learning Theory 

 

The method and practice of teaching, or pedagogy 

(13 items), is a theme intertwined with knowledge 



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2022 Journal Forensic Science Education  Botch-Jones 

building/acquisition and learning theory (12 items). 

Further, it is important to understand the effectiveness of 

innovation (11 items) in knowledge acquisition and 

transfer through other themes such as assessment (9 

items), development (8 items), 

challenges/barriers/corruption (8 items), students’ 
adaptive skills (7 items), and evaluation (6 items) and 

their effects on acquiring new knowledge and techniques. 

This literature review revealed several studies on 

innovative approaches such as machine learning, 

augmented/virtual reality, modeling, social media, 

gamification, simulation-based medical education, maker 

movement, and massive open online courses (35, 45). 

Several learning theories have been developed and 

studied including evidenced-based, self-directed, and 

problem-based learning (40, 46-48). In general, learning 

theories describe how students receive, process, and retain 

knowledge through the learning process (31, 35, 49). 
Further, intwined in these topics is the connection with 

inter/multidisciplinary research (6 items) (16, 38, 46, 48, 

50, 51). Forensic and STEM disciplines are characterized 

by the numerous scientific disciplines, some of which are 

multidisciplinary, as well as the variability in pedagogies 

used to transfer knowledge from faculty to student.  To 

strengthen “education outcomes” and the applied practice 

of STEM disciplines, including forensic science, 

laboratory courses should be the focus of additional 

research (50). 

 

Resources (Education and Research) 
 

As with the other most studied themes, educational 

and research resources (11 items) was repeatedly 

identified in the grounded theory mixed methods research. 

For example, in simulation based medical education, 

resources (educational and research) are needed for 

translational science (35). McGaghie et al. found that 

"national research priorities are served from translational 

educational research [and that] national funding priorities 

should endorse the contribution and value of translational 

education research" (35). In research evaluating self-
directed learning in internal medicine residency, resources 

were identified as a needed component for progression 

through an academic program (31). Resources were also 

cited as necessary for other higher education initiatives 

including incorporating innovative approaches such as the 

“Maker Movement”, “Active Learning”, and “Social-

Emotional Learning” approaches (45, 52-53). Forensic 

science education and training involve faculty with 

specialized knowledge and skills, expensive analytical 

equipment, laboratory space, and additional resources to 

provide the required information and expertise to enable 
students to enter a career as a forensic scientist. FEPAC 

acknowledge in their standards that forensic academic 

programs must demonstrate that they have “Institutional 

Support” which must be sufficient to allow the program to 

achieve its mission, goals, and objectives (54). These 

resources should provide classrooms, 

laboratories/facilities, equipment and supplies appropriate 

for the size and scope of the program. 

 

Quality, Standards, Best Practices, and Policy 

Standardization, as well as academic accreditation, 

which can demonstrate that an institution meets a set of 

minimum standards, helps to ensure that the education 

students receive provide a base level of experience and 

instruction to prepare them for entry into a career in a 

STEM field such as forensic science. As previously 

mentioned, FEPAC was created to provide minimum 

standards for forensic science education. It is essential 

that future forensic scientists obtain a level of 

academic/technical competence, communication/ 

/interpersonal skills, protective mechanisms, adaptive 
skills, professional attitudes, and ethical judgment (27-28, 

34, 36, 39, 45, 53, 55-56). These are all themes identified 

in this review. With the use of grounded theory and mixed 

method analysis, the identified themes in this review may 

provide useful information that applies to forensic science 

and help to identify key areas that should be focused on 

for future research. 

 

Other Theories 

 

Socio-cognitive, critical, and spatial skills theories 
were also explored. In the work by Atit et al., “Spatial 

skills enable us to manipulate, organize, reason about, and 

make sense of spatial relationships in real and imagined 

spaces [and]STEM professionals often employ spatial 

skills when completing tasks within their domain” (57). 

As with STEM professionals, forensic scientists need 

spatial skills to perform their analyses. Atit et al., further 

found that “…discipline-based education researchers 

specializing in STEM domains have focused much of 

their research on understanding how to bolster students’ 

skills in completing domain-specific spatial tasks” (57). 

Research on problem-based learning, through the 
understanding of socio-cognitive nature of learning, can 

help us understand how “conceptions, judgment, and 

motivation” affects cognitive processes and how 

environments influence learners and the acquisition of 

knowledge (49, 58). Critical theory and modeling were 

also explored in the articles reviewed (32, 41, 46, 59). 

Modeling allows us to create visual representations of 

data (through experimentation) to better understand it. 

Critical theory is an approach that utilizes reflective 

assessment of society and culture criticism to reveal and 

challenge power structures (59). Forensic scientists often 
work in publicly funded law enforcement organizations, 

such as local and state police departments, which may be 

operated in a para-military formation with a distinct chain 

of command or power structure. Forensic scientists are 



J Forensic Sci Educ 2022, 4(2) 

2022 Journal Forensic Science Education  Botch-Jones 

tasked with examining evidence and making conclusions 

that could potentially influence the outcome of a case. 

The information that is gathered through the investigative 

process on victims and suspects may influence the 

forensic scientists, due to preconceptions they may hold 

on criminal acts and those that may be involved in them 
(60).  

 

Conclusion 

 

This review highlights numerous educational 

research themes that may help us understand and improve 

educational outcomes in STEM higher education, 

including forensic science. It was found that a theme may 

be identified as a topic of study but may also influence 

other themes and/or thematic groups. Although grounded 

theory mixed method approaches have not been used in 

forensic science education research, the identified themes 
and conclusions in this review may be of benefit to 

forensic science training. Brown noted that grounded 

theory methodologies allow for “innovative synthesis” to 

“organize, analyze and combine concepts from an 

intermixed selection of quantitative and qualitative 

research [and] inferring an emerging theory or thesis of 

new knowledge" (61). It is essential that future forensic 

scientists obtain a level of academic/technical 

competence, communication/interpersonal skills, 

protective mechanisms, adaptive skills, professional 

attitudes, and ethical judgment. These themes should be 
evaluated with a focus on forensic science to enhance the 

education students receive and the skills they start out 

with in their careers.  

 
Acknowledgements 

 

The corresponding author would like to acknowledge 

the support of the Boston University School of 

Medicine’s Biomedical Forensic Sciences Graduate 

Program Director, Dr. Robin Cotton, Assistant Director, 

Amy Brodeur, and her colleagues Patricia Jones, and Dr. 

Adam Hall. In addition, she would like to thank the 
Boston University School of Medicine’s Department of 

Anatomy & Neurobiology Chair, Dr. Jennifer Luebke and 

past Department Chair Dr. Mark Moss for their support. 

The corresponding author also expresses her gratitude to 

her Doctoral Committee, Dr. Jarrad Wagner-Chair, Dr. 

Ron Thrasher, Dr. Bavette Miller and Dr. James Hess for 

their continued support and encouragement throughout 

her doctoral research. Finally, she expresses her immense 

gratitude to Dr. Bryan Jones for his willingness to review 

this work prior to submission and his continued support. 

 

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