The methodology that guided this qualitative study in investigating the perspectives of senior management teams in senior secondary schools about the implementation of the performance management in their respectiveschools was grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Strauss & Corbin, 1998). I opted for the grounded theory methodology because of the procedures it provides researchers to follow in the process of data collection and analysis (LaRossa, 2005). Glaser and Strauss (1967) give some detailed guidelines pertaining to the systematic analysis of the data, complete with clear and specific procedures, and research strategies. Corbin and Strauss
(1990) emphasise that grounded theory has specific procedures for data collection and analysis that grounded theory researchers must know to be able to conduct a study. These guidelines are also recognised by Thomas and James (2006) who argue that grounded theory procedures are reflective of an accessible and thoroughly explained approach in qualitative investigation. The description of grounded theory by Mansourian (2006) is that of an enjoyable and exciting procedure which provides directions in research.