ABSTRACT

Most writing on sociological method has been concerned with how accurate facts can be obtained and how theory can thereby be more rigorously tested. In The Discovery of Grounded Theory, Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss address the equally Important enterprise of how the discovery of theory from data—systematically obtained and analyzed in social research—can be furthered. The discovery of theory from data—grounded theory—is a major task confronting sociology, for such a theory fits empirical situations, and is understandable to sociologists and laymen alike. Most important, it provides relevant predictions, explanations, interpretations, and applications. In Part I of the book, "Generation Theory by Comparative Analysis," the authors present a strategy whereby sociologists can facilitate the discovery of grounded theory, both substantive and formal. This strategy involves the systematic choice and study of several comparison groups. In Part II, The Flexible Use of Data," the generation of theory from qualitative, especially documentary, and quantitative data Is considered. In Part III, "Implications of Grounded Theory," Glaser and Strauss examine the credibility of grounded theory. The Discovery of Grounded Theory is directed toward improving social scientists' capacity for generating theory that will be relevant to their research. While aimed primarily at sociologists, it will be useful to anyone Interested In studying social phenomena—political, educational, economic, industrial— especially If their studies are based on qualitative data.

chapter I|18 pages

The Discovery of Grounded Theory

part I|140 pages

Generating Theory by Comparative Analysis

chapter II|24 pages

Generating Theory

chapter III|34 pages

Theoretical Sampling

chapter IV|22 pages

From Substantive to Formal Theory

chapter VI|42 pages

Clarifying and Assessing Comparative Studies

part II|62 pages

The Flexible Use of Data

chapter VII|24 pages

New Sources for Qualitative Data

chapter VIII|36 pages

Theoretical Elaboration of Quantitative Data

part III|38 pages

Implications of Grounded Theory

chapter IX|14 pages

The Credibility of Grounded Theory*

chapter X|14 pages

Applying Grounded Theory

chapter XI|8 pages

Insight and Theory Development