The Philosophical Trinity, Soft Systems Methodology and Grounded Theory

Choosing an appropriate research strategy is difficult. It requires a deep and honest reflection of one’s own beliefs. It requires commitment to the relationship between the philosophical trinity, the research paradigm, and the research methodology or methodologies. The philosophical trinity answers the questions ‘What exists?’, ‘How do I know?’, and ‘What is valuable? This paper argues that the researcher is seeking the ‘sweet spot’ where the overlap, or philosophical alignment, between these questions is maximised. Having identified that the philosophical alignment between soft systems methodology and grounded theory is close, and faithfully matches the researcher’s beliefs; it suggests the integration of the two methodologies as an appropriate research strategy.