**6.1 The Use of the literature**

"All kinds of literature can be used before a research study is begun: both in thinking about and getting the study off the ground. They can also be used during the study itself, contributing to its forward thrust" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p.56). However, Strauss and Corbin (1990) distinguish between different types of literature which are technical and nontechnical literature and they argue that both are of equal usefulness, and can be used at the same points in Grounded Theory analysis procedures.

Technical literature refers to theoretical and philosophical papers as well as other research studies which characterize the writing of a professional discipline and it can be used as background material for comparison against the findings of Grounded Theory. Strauss and Corbin (1990) stated several reasons for the use of technical literature early in the study. For instance, it can be used in order to stimulate theoretical sensitivity by providing concepts and relationships for comparison against the data, therefore, previous theories can be modified, extended, or amended depending on the situation. Moreover, it can be used to stimulate questions for interviews or the other data collection techniques and can also be used to help direct theoretical sampling. Another reason for using technical literature is to provide a secondary source of data that can help by providing supplementary, externally sourced, validity to the research findings (Strauss and Corbin 1990).

In contrast, nontechnical literature refers to the use of other materials including reports, records, and manuscripts (Strauss and Corbin 1990). It can be used either as "primary data or to supplement interviews and field observations in Grounded Theory studies" (Strauss & Corbin, 1990, p.48). However, some researchers believe that the initial review of the literature is important as it helps in enabling readers to classify the researcher's perspective as the research begins as well as providing justification for applying the Grounded Theory study (Antle 1986).

In the study related here, a review of the relevant literature and previous theories established current thinking in the areas of mobile government and security. The main objective of this literature review was to enhance awareness of the existing knowledge and to identify the gap. In addition, technical literature was used as background material for comparison against the findings for the development of the substantive theory of this study. Nontechnical literature such as newspapers and government reports were used as well in order to support several emerging issues resulting from the empirical study.

#### **6.2 Memos**

Memos are "written records of analysis related to the formulation of theory" (Strauss and Corbin 1990, p.197). They are written continuously through the research process in order to reflect upon and explain meanings and processes, including identifying relationships between codes and categories, as well as providing a depth of understanding of the concepts (Strauss and Corbin 1990). In this study, memos were written to help describe and explain the data analysis, as well as the relationships among concepts and categories. It further helped to explore data, and to group concepts and codes into categories. For example, during the development of the "system requirements" and "procedural issues" categories, one of the memos written stated that "Organisational and users' factors influence the identified system requirements. System requirements relate to the system itself. Procedural issues which emerged from entities factors include current and future authentication system issues that are related to the system as well". This memo helped in developing a core category - "system factors" - which combined system requirements and procedural issues along with their sub-factors.

#### **6.3 Constant comparison**

194 Security Enhanced Applications for Information Systems

this study incorporates the suggested techniques by Strauss and Corbin (1990) including sampling, coding, memo writing, reviewing of literature, and making constant comparisons to analyse the data and enhance theoretical sensitivity. More details about the application of

"All kinds of literature can be used before a research study is begun: both in thinking about and getting the study off the ground. They can also be used during the study itself, contributing to its forward thrust" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p.56). However, Strauss and Corbin (1990) distinguish between different types of literature which are technical and nontechnical literature and they argue that both are of equal usefulness, and can be used at

Technical literature refers to theoretical and philosophical papers as well as other research studies which characterize the writing of a professional discipline and it can be used as background material for comparison against the findings of Grounded Theory. Strauss and Corbin (1990) stated several reasons for the use of technical literature early in the study. For instance, it can be used in order to stimulate theoretical sensitivity by providing concepts and relationships for comparison against the data, therefore, previous theories can be modified, extended, or amended depending on the situation. Moreover, it can be used to stimulate questions for interviews or the other data collection techniques and can also be used to help direct theoretical sampling. Another reason for using technical literature is to provide a secondary source of data that can help by providing supplementary, externally

In contrast, nontechnical literature refers to the use of other materials including reports, records, and manuscripts (Strauss and Corbin 1990). It can be used either as "primary data or to supplement interviews and field observations in Grounded Theory studies" (Strauss & Corbin, 1990, p.48). However, some researchers believe that the initial review of the literature is important as it helps in enabling readers to classify the researcher's perspective as the research begins as well as providing justification for applying the Grounded Theory

In the study related here, a review of the relevant literature and previous theories established current thinking in the areas of mobile government and security. The main objective of this literature review was to enhance awareness of the existing knowledge and to identify the gap. In addition, technical literature was used as background material for comparison against the findings for the development of the substantive theory of this study. Nontechnical literature such as newspapers and government reports were used as well in

Memos are "written records of analysis related to the formulation of theory" (Strauss and Corbin 1990, p.197). They are written continuously through the research process in order to reflect upon and explain meanings and processes, including identifying relationships between codes and categories, as well as providing a depth of understanding of the concepts (Strauss and Corbin 1990). In this study, memos were written to help describe and explain

order to support several emerging issues resulting from the empirical study.

these techniques are provided in the following sections.

the same points in Grounded Theory analysis procedures.

sourced, validity to the research findings (Strauss and Corbin 1990).

**6.1 The Use of the literature** 

study (Antle 1986).

**6.2 Memos** 

According to Charmaz (2006), constant comparison is described as being core to Grounded Theory. It refers to the process of constantly comparing data set to data set and its coding in order to refine the development of theory. Strauss and Corbin (1990) indicated that constant comparison reminds the researcher to constantly return to the data which can help in verifying the emerging categories as well as examining and comparing concepts for similarities and differences.

In this study, constant comparison was employed by comparing incoming data with the previous data to find out whether the same concepts appear and are relevant for the new cases and whether the codes were placed in correct category and were reliable and truly represent the empirical data.

#### **6.4 Coding procedures**

Strauss and Corbin (1990) defined three coding procedures in Grounded Theory which are open, axial, and selective coding.
