Editorial: Grounded Theory Methodology: Contemporary Inspirations, Disputes, and Returns

Abstract

Since the publication of Barney Glaser and Anselm L. Strauss’ major work, the principles of the authors’ methodology have been used in hundreds of research projects and tested in various field situations. A lively debate taking place among practitioners has revealed a variety of their worldviews, stances, and assumptions that underlie research ventures. It is these factors among other things that led to the emergence of different variants of grounded theory methodology. Today, half a century after the publication of the said work, people beginning their adventure with GTM can – and should – make an informed decision as to the type of GTM that they prefer to use. One obvious advantage of this situation is the fact that many field dilemmas have already been articulated in the source literature, which is why one does not have to confront them in the field on their own. The richness and diversity also applies to substantive areas; the usefulness of GTM is being discovered by researchers of various backgrounds and provenances. Apparently, general interest in methodology is not waning. The volume herein presents some of the questions and matters that are the subject of animated discussions among those researchers who are inspired by the aforementioned perspective.