Introduction

Grounded Theory (GTM) is a "general method of comparative analysis" to discover theory with four central criteria, i.e. work (generality), relevance (understanding), fit (valid), and modifiability (control). GTM is "one of the interpretive methods that share the common philosophy of phenomenology". It is a "do-it-yourself methodology" where no research assistant, no research grant, no dues, and no secret handshakes is needed :-). References: [GLASER78, p. 116], [GLASERSTRAUSS67, pp. 1-2], [STERN94, p. 213].

GTM is just a method, a whole method, and nothing but a method. It "guides the researcher from the moment he enters field to a final publishable draft" with the five S's packet, i.e. Subsequent, Sequential, Simultaneous, Serendipitous, and Scheduled. Understanding GTM is a delayed action phenomenon for about 12 months of learning. Nothing is more practical than a Grounded Theory^sm. References: [GLASER98, pp. 14-15].

Related Sites
• Barney G. Glaser at Grounded Theory Institute -- dedicated to the evolving of the methodology. As a teacher (Barney) many times ignore questions for a simple reason: learning grounded theory is a delayed action phenomenon [GLASER 98, pp. 217, 224].
• Anselm L. Strauss
  (18^th December 1916 - 5^th September 1996):
  An Appreciation by Susan Leigh Star -- "I think of Anselm learning email in his 70s, then laughing with him as we surfed the web in search of grounded theory references last summer".
• Grounded Theory Methodology on the WEB, a list of whatever poutporri.
• Grounded Theory Index, to references.
• GLASER 95: Grounded Theory 1984 - 1994, a reading that is "partially" endorsed by Glaser.
• GLASER 96: Gerund Grounded Theory -- The Basic Social Process Dissertation.
• GLASER98: Question List.
• STRAUSS & CORBIN 97: Grounded Theory in Practice + commentary by Strauss and Corbin for each article.
• STRAUSS CORBIN 98: Frequently Asked Questions.
• The Grounded Theory Reference Page -- in paper form.
• Online Grounded Theory Articles -- on the Web.
• The Directory of all these Memo Pages.
• What is Grounded Theory? -- a variety of citations.
• In Emergence We Trust -- the Grounded Theory Process page.

When should GTM be used?

This methodology can generate substantive as well as formal theories, in either well codified set of properties or running theoretical discussions. References: [GLASERSTRAUSS67, pp. 31-32].

According to Glaser:

"Grounded Theory becomes an answer where other methodologies did not work well enough, especially in the sensitive dependent variable fields within the health science and business and management." References: [GLASER95A, p. 15].

According to Stern:

"[...] the strongest case for the use of grounded theory is in investigations of relatively uncharted water, or to gain a fresh perspective in a familiar situation." References: [STERN95, p. 30].

According to Strauss and Corbin:

"If someone wanted to know whether one drug is more effective than another, then a double blind clinical trial would be more appropriate than grounded theory study. However, if someone wanted to know what it was like to be a participant in a drug study, then he or she might sensibly engage in a grounded theory project or some other type of qualitative study." References: [STRAUSSCORBIN90, p. 37], [STRAUSSCORBIN98, p. 40].

The Origin of GTM

Glaser then joined the University of California Medical Center at San Francisco where he meet Anselm L. Strauss (Ph.D. in sociology, University of Chicago, 1945). The University of Chicago has a strong tradition in qualitative research. Strauss was influenced by the Interactionist and Pragmatist writings of Robert E. Park, W.I. Thomas, John Dewey, G.H. Mead, Everett Hughes, and Herbert Blumer. This tradition contributes the need to go to field in a small-scale team, to make discovery as well as the need of a theory that is grounded in data, as well as other symbolic interaction properties which rooted the GTM framework. References: [STERN94, p. 215], [STRAUSS91, p. 18], [STRAUSSCORBIN98, p. 9].

While studying dying patients, Glaser and Strauss discovered the core categories of dying awareness as well as its dying trajectory. The research method were coined as "Grounded Theory Methodology" in the Discovery book. References: [GLASERSTRAUSS67], [GLASTRA65], [GLASTRA68].

GTM Versions

Apparently there are at least two versions of GTM, i.e. Glaserian and Straussian. "Students of Glaser and Strauss in the 1960s and 1970s knew the two had quite different modus operandi" of teaching GTM. The differences include the understanding of "constant comparissions" as well as "theoretical memoing and sorting". On the verificational issue, Glaser argued that rigorous verificational methods could be used for testing a few of the central hypotheses only. References: [GLASER92, pp. 116-117], [GLASER98, p. 22], [MORSE97B, p. 184], [STERN94, pp. 212, 220].

Whereas Glaser openly argued that Strauss' version has its own merit, but it is not grounded theory; Strauss only hinted that "although many of the essentials of the original grounded theory method were maintained, there were some differences. These were not intentional but rather simply evolved as Strauss continued to conduct, teach, and discuss research methodology with colleagues and students.". References: [GLASER92], [GLASER98], [STRAUSSCORBIN98, pp. 10,12].

Related Sites
• Will the Real Grounded Theory Please Stand Up? -- Wayne A. Babchuk (1997) discusses the central issues of the Glaser-Strauss debat.

This is NOT GTM

There exists various other types of comparative analysis which are NOT GTM:

1. Comparisons for Verifications.
2. Assumed Verification Plus Limited Generation.
3. Organizing Data but not Generating Theory.
4. Comparisons for Generation.
   However, "because the approach was not, however, as explicit as outlined (in the Discovery book), the grounded theory was less than fully satisfactory in its integrations".

References:

• The Grounded Theory Reference Page -- in paper form.
• Online Grounded Theory Articles -- on the Web.

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• [GLASER78] Glaser, Barney G. 1978. Theoretical Sensitivity. Sociology Press, pp. 164. [HM48 Gla CLMS, -]
  MEMO: Although it is not a doctrine, read this thoughtfully! It is about Theoretical "Pacing, Sampling, Coding, Sorting, Writing", as well as Basic Social Processes - BSP -, Generating Formal Theory, and New Directions.
• [GLASER92] Glaser, Barney G. 1992. Emergence vs. Forcing: Basics of Grounded Theory Analysis. Sociology Press, pp. 129. [HM28 Gla CLMS, -]
  MEMO: REPRODUCIBILITY (pp. 116 - 117) do not waste time! Use rigorous verificational methods to test a few of its central hypotheses [cf. MORSE97B].
• [GLASER98] Glaser, Barney G. 1998. Doing Grounded Theory: Issues and Discussions. Sociology Press, pp. 254. [-, -]
  Keywords: Grounded Theory
  MEMO: Grounded theory is a delayed action phenomenon. Do not expect to understand this book at the first glance.
• [GLASERSTRAUSS67] Glaser, Barney G., and Strauss, Anselm L. 1967. The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine, pp. 271. [HM48 Gla CLMS, ISBN 0-2977-6318-0]
  MEMO: The starting point of GTM.
• [GLASTRA65] Glaser, Barney G., and Strauss, Anselm L. 1965. Awareness of Dying. Aldine Pub., pp. 302. [BF789 Dea.G CLCS, -]
  MEMO: The origin of GTM
• [STERN94] Stern, Phyllis Noerager. 1994. Eroding Grounded Theory. In Critical Issues in Qualitative Research Methods (Morse, Janice M. editor), Sage Pub., - ed., pp. 210-223. [RT81.5 Cri CLMS, ISBN 0-8039-5043-8].
  Keywords: Grounded Theory, Minus Mentoring, Glaser vs. Strauss
  MEMO: Strauss stops at each word to ask "What if?" whereas Glaser keeps his attention focused on data and asks, "What do we have here?". Also in GLASER95.
• [STRAUSS87] Strauss, Anselm L. 1987. Qualitative Analysis for Social Scientist. Cambridge University Press, pp. 319. [H61 Sta CLMS, ISBN 0-5213-2845-4]
  MEMO: Ch 2: A good illustration of the coding procedure
• [STRAUSS91] Strauss, Anselm L. 1991. Creating Sociological Awareness -- Collective Images and Symbolic Representations. Transaction Publisers, pp. 483. [HM51 Str CLMS, ISBN 0-88738-355-6]
  MEMO: with a foreword by Irving Louis Horowitz.
• [STRAUSSCORBIN98] Strauss, Anselm L., and Corbin, Juliet. 1998. Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Sage, 2nd ed., pp. 312. [HA29 Str, ISBN 0-8039-5939-7]
  Keywords: Grounded Theory, Qualitative Analysis
  MEMO: A good book for novice researchers: discusses the version that is taught by Strauss (p. 12). See also http://gtm.vlsm.org/gtm-18.en.html.