The Roots of Grounded Theory

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Barney G. Glaser

Abstract

I studied sociology at Stanford 1948 to 1952, which was partially fine but limited in those days. But then I knew I wanted to be a sociologist. Returning to the USA from the army in 1955 to study sociology at Columbia confirmed my goals. I bought the program 100% on doing sociology as my life work. All I do is sociology in every facet of life; work, recreation, family etc. My life is sociology driven and directed.


Now let me give you a quote from Barton’s (1955, p.246) article of Paul F. Lazarsfeld [PFL], “Analyzing the logic of research operations to clarify concepts remained a key to PFL’s life”. It has been the key to my life also.


“All is data” – that now sloganized tenet of Grounded Theory [GT] clearly came from PFL per Barton’s words.
Robert K. Merton’s [RKM] brief flicker of light to admit to emergence (see Barton, p. 255) became the key to GT’s
theoretical stance.

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How to Cite
Glaser, B. G. (2006). The Roots of Grounded Theory. Grounded Theory Review, 5(02/03), 1–10. Retrieved from https://groundedtheoryreview.org/index.php/gtr/article/view/127
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References

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