ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a brief history of the world of science. Methodology is never static because it's "historically situated and it evolves". Grounded theory methodology has been tampered with since its original conception in 1967 and not unlike other research methodologies, will continue to be modified to accommodate diverse research genres, disciplinary traditions, contexts and foci of inquiry. Galileo Galilei was founder of modern science and the experiment. Galilei endorsed the superiority of scientific observation over speculation derived from the metaphysical realm. John Locke was founder of the social sciences. Locke's epistemological perspectives drew parallels with scientific investigations conducted in physics and astronomy. Ferdinand C. S. Schiller was leader of the European humanist revolt against positivism. Social constructionists/constructivists believe knowledge is constructed in the minds of individuals and powerfully influenced by social and cultural contexts. Classic grounded theory was discovered during the 1960s at a time when verificational methods dominated the social sciences.
