Tracing the History of Grounded Theory Methodology: From Formation to Fragmentation

Authors

Méabh Kenny, University College CorkFollow
Robert Fourie, University College CorkFollow

Abstract

There are very few articles, which track the history of Grounded Theory (GT) methodology from its tentative conception to its present divisions. This journal article addresses the dearth by tracing the history of GT methodology from its conception in the 1960’s, discussing the context of its composition, character, and contribution. Subsequently, the article follows the maturation of GT which is characterised by a series of contentious and, at times, antagonistic academic debates. The crux of these debates centres on disputes over core tenets of GT and have resulted in three dominant and divergent configurations of the GT methodology: Classic, Straussian, and Constructivist GT. These factions can often create confusion for the researcher wishing to embark on a GT study. However, an examination of the history of the GT methodology sheds light on the logic of these schisms.

Keywords

Classic Grounded Theory, StraussianGrounded Theory, Constructivist Grounded Theory, History of GroundedTheory, Development of Grounded Theory, Differences between GroundedTheories, Grounded Theory Methodology, Glaser, Strauss and Corbin, Charmaz

Publication Date

12-29-2014

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1416

Recommended APA Citation

Kenny, M., & Fourie, R. (2014). Tracing the History of Grounded Theory Methodology: From Formation to Fragmentation. The Qualitative Report, 19(52), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1416