The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research

Barney G. Glaser, Anselm L. Strauss

Aldine Transaction, 1967 - Social Science - 271 pages

Most writing on sociological method has been concerned with how accurate facts can be obtained and how theory can thereby be more rigorously tested. In The Discovery of Grounded Theory, Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss address the equally Important enterprise of how the discovery of theory from data--systematically obtained and analyzed in social research--can be furthered. The discovery of theory from data--grounded theory--is a major task confronting sociology, for such a theory fits empirical situations, and is understandable to sociologists and laymen alike. Most important, it provides relevant predictions, explanations, interpretations, and applications.

In Part I of the book, "Generation Theory by Comparative Analysis," the authors present a strategy whereby sociologists can facilitate the discovery of grounded theory, both substantive and formal. This strategy involves the systematic choice and study of several comparison groups. In Part II, The Flexible Use of Data," the generation of theory from qualitative, especially documentary, and quantitative data Is considered. In Part III, "Implications of Grounded Theory," Glaser and Strauss examine the credibility of grounded theory.

The Discovery of Grounded Theory is directed toward improving social scientists' capacity for generating theory that will be relevant to their research. While aimed primarily at sociologists, it will be useful to anyone Interested In studying social phenomena--political, educational, economic, industrial-- especially If their studies are based on qualitative data.

About the author

Barney G. Glaser is the founder of the Grounded Theory Institute in Mill Valley, California, and has also been a research sociologist at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including The Grounded Theory Perspective II, Experts versus Laymen, Time for Dying, and The Discovery of Grounded Theory.||

Anselm L. Strauss (1916-1996) was professor of sociology and chair of the department of social and behavioral sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. He is internationally recognized for his efforts in the fields of medical sociology and the developer, with Barney Glaser, of grounded theory.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research; Observations (Chicago, Ill.)
• Authors: Barney G. Glaser, Anselm L. Strauss
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Aldine Transaction, 1967
• ISBN: 0202302601, 9780202302607
• Length: 271 pages
• Subjects: Social Science / Methodology; Social Science / Research; Social Science / Statistics