Basics of Grounded Theory Analysis: Emergence vs. Forcing

by Barney G. Glaser

Dr. Glaser published this book as a clear and cogent correction of the many misleading ideas in Basics of Qualitative Research, by Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin (1990) Sage Publications. Its corrected view of the underlying logic of grounded theory will enable researchers to get on with their research and keep up their productivity. Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Basic Considerations Chapter 4 Getting Stated Chapter 5 Theoretical Sensitivity Chapter 6 Reading and Using The Literature Chapter 7 Open Coding Chapter 8 Techniques for Enhancing Theoretical Sensitivity Chapter 9 Axial Coding Chapter 10 Selective Coding Chapter 11 Process Chapter 12 The Conditional Matrix Chapter 13 Theoretical Sampling Chapter 14 Memos Chapter 15 Writing Chapter 16 Criteria For Judging Grounded Theory Chapter 17 Intellectual Propert

Genres: Research

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

About the author

Barney G. Glaser is an American sociologist and one of the founders of the grounded theory methodology. Glaser was born in San Francisco, California and lives in nearby Mill Valley. He received his BA degree at Stanford in 1952. He pursued academic studies at the University of Paris where he studied contemporary literature. He also studied literature at University of Freiburg for two years during off-hours from his military service.

At Columbia he was a student of Paul Lazarsfeld and Robert K. Merton and received a Ph.D in 1961. The dissertation was published in the book Organizational Scientists: Their Professional Careers. Post-doc Glaser started a research collaboration with Anselm Strauss at the University of California, San Francisco. Together they wrote Awareness of Dying (1965) based on a study of dying in Californian hospitals. The book was a success. As a response to the many methodological questions on the dying study the first grounded theory (GT) methodology appeared in 1967 co-authored with Strauss: The Discovery of Grounded Theory.

In 1970 Glaser started the publishing company Sociology Press specializing in grounded theory methodologies and readers. The second grounded theory methodology was written by Glaser in 1978 (Theoretical Sensitivity). Thereafter, Glaser has published several readers of grounded theory and four more methodologies. He has traveled throughout the world giving workshops and seminars to many researchers. In 1998 Glaser received an honorary doctorate from Stockholm University.

In 1999 Glaser founded the non-profit web based organization Grounded Theory Institute. He owned Cascade Acceptance Corporation, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2009. In July 2010, the bankruptcy trustee declared that the company had been insolvent for at least two years, and the case was converted from a reorganization to a liquidation

Reviews

[Sean Halpin]

Glaser begins the book by publishing two letters he sent to Anslem Strauss, co-founder of Grounded Theory. If you are unfamiliar with the spat between these two before reading this book you will be well versed in Glaser's whining complaints within the pages of this short but laborious read. If you have any expectation that Glaser is genuine when he ends the introduction by stating he will let his arguments with Strauss go by stating "But enough critique which can become too destructive. I am interested only in the productive, only in getting on with the main goal of grounded theory." If you believe this statement then you are in for some disappointment.

This book truly takes an emotional toll, taxing the reader at every page. Truly not a page goes by without Strauss' name being mentioned, usually accompanied with an explaination of why Strauss is wrong and Glaser is right. It is a rehashing of preschool "he hit me first" arguments over and over. In between the grouchy bitching there is elucidating information but you will have to be willing to dig through Glaser's constant comparison between his and Strauss' interpretation of their theory.

[Judy]

Dr. Glaser's response to differences between grounded theory and full conceptual description.