Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory

by Anselm L. Strauss, Juliet Corbin

The Second Edition of this best-selling textbook continues to offer immensely practical advice and technical expertise that will aid researchers in analyzing and interpreting their collected data, and ultimately build theory from it. The authors provide a step-by-step guide to the research act. Full of definitions and illustrative examples, the book presents criteria for evaluating a study as well as responses to common questions posed by students of qualitative research.

Genres: Research, Nonfiction, Sociology, Qualitative Research, Research Methods, Psychology, Academic

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

Anselm Leonard Strauss (December 18, 1916 – September 5, 1996) was an American sociologist professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) internationally known as a medical sociologist (especially for his pioneering attention to chronic illness and dying) and as the developer (with Barney Glaser) of grounded theory, an innovative method of qualitative analysis widely used in sociology, nursing, education, social work, and organizational studies. He also wrote extensively on Chicago sociology/symbolic interactionism, sociology of work, social worlds/arenas theory, social psychology and urban imagery. He published over 30 books, chapters in over 30 other books, and over 70 journal articles.

Strauss, whose grandparents were German immigrants in the United States, was born in New York City and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. His physician recommended that Strauss move to Arizona after high school because he suffered from bronchial problems. However, he moved to the University of Virginia in 1935, where he received his B.S. in Biology in 1939. From there he went to the University of Chicago, where he received his M.A. in sociology (1942) and his Ph.D. in the same field (1945). It was also there where he studied symbolic interactionism under Herbert Blumer.

During the years 1944 to 1947, Strauss was on the faculty of Lawrence College. From there he moved to Indiana University (1946–1952), where he met and collaborated with Alfred Lindesmith; in 1949, they published their very influential book, Social Psychology. That volume was translated into Swedish, German and Japanese and the eighth edition in English was published in 1999.

In 1952, Strauss returned to the University of Chicago as assistant professor. During that time, he worked with Prof. Everett Hughes, and became associated with a group of colleagues who would become known as the "Second Chicago School" (e.g., Howard S. Becker and Erving Goffman). In 1960, he went to the School of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco where he founded the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He chaired the department until 1987, although even as a professor emeritus he continued his research and teaching activities. During his time as chair, he was a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1962 and 1970.

While at the University of California, San Francisco, Strauss and Barney Glaser originated grounded theory, which is widely used within qualitative research.

Strauss was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1980. In that year he also received the Charles H. Cooley Award from the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interactionism. Between 1955 and 1980, he was an invited visiting professor at the universities of Frankfurt and Konstanz in Germany, Cambridge and Manchester in England, Paris in France, and Adelaide in Australia.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided you want to teach yourself qualitative research? Decided that you'd like to actually make that research, not just journalism? Well, apparently this is a good place to start. The start is dense. Unbelievably philosophically loaded dense. While I think I understand why it was important to the authors to situate themselves in a several hundred years of philosophy of science and realism, I'm not sure I needed to read it first. While this risks a degree of naivete, the philosophy made a lot more sense to me once I figured out what the practice they were motivating looked like.

And the book does a lovely, absolutely lovely job of laying out a pragmatic approach to doing rich qualitative research. And then, remarkably, actually spends several chapters doing some -- going over interviews, doing coding, doing memoing, reflecting on it. It gives a very nice feel for how to wade in. If you are going to wade in, this seems like a darn fine survival guide.

[Ghasem Safaeinejad · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب خوب و کاربردی ای هست منتهی بعضا خیلی از مبانی حرف زده. ترجمه هم جزو ترجمه های قوی و روان محسوب نمیشه. من ترجمه ابراهیم افشار رو از نشر نی خوندم

[Fernando Kenji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro bem interessante para quem pretende fazer pesquisa qualitativa! Gostei da forma como mostra exemplos do início ao fim de como codificar, categorizar, etc. Mas, acho que os exemplos poderiam ser com textos menores. Recomendo!!!

[Oxana Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ABC of how to write a qualitative research, grounded theory in particular. Inspires to go and try 😊 really simple to implement and clear tips on all the procedure and all its stages.

[Beyza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I will keep reading this book all over again, but here is my comment for the first time: Corbin and Strauss have helped me to clarify my thoughts about grounded theory methodology and showed me how comprehensive a grounded theory study should be. Interestingly, after I finished the book, I felt both stressed and relieved, because I still have sooooo many things to do, but I'm not the only novice qualitative researcher who is worried and confused. Therefore, I suggest everyone who is interested in qualitative research to read it.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've often enjoyed assigned textbooks in my public health classes, but Stauss & Corbin mainly mystify me. If it wasn't for my qualitative data analysis class, I'm not sure I would know what grounded theory is after reading this book after all. The examples helped, but their wild metaphors did not.

[Antti Kapanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This classic work gives valuable guidance for researchers deploying the "Straussian" version of the Grouded Theory method. Some parts, in particular the philosophy, data analysis strategies, memoing practice and the example project, are very insightful and useful for GT researchers.

However, it is expected that the reader is familiar with the basics of the GT methodology and has read at least the Discovery of Grounded Theory by Glaser and Strauss and preferably some other fundamental works. For example, the book assumes understanding of the coding practices, which are not explained in great detail. Also some useful elements of the previous editions, such as the coding paradigm, have been reduced in detail and not developed further, possibly due to critique by Glaser and others.

[Ahmad No'man · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly recommended read for any novice qualitative researcher, who is trying to get a better understanding of the basics of qualitative research. Especially for those -like myself- who are trying to get the hang of Grounded Theory (GT) Methodology. I believe I owe this book and its authors a lot already, as I am having a breakthrough in my master's thesis work, and it is all thanks to that particular book.

[Jaakko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got myself to finish the book. An absolute must for aspiring grounded theorists. This is the book that everyone cites and no one has read, but still, I do recommend wading it through if qualitative research is your thing.

[Wonder Ekpe]

I'm yet to read a few pages

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated Corbin and Strauss' explanation of how memoing plays an integral role in the grounded theory process.

[Jay Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though no bedside reading, I did find the book both challenged me in my own writing/research as well as confirmed the approaches I was taking. It had been recommended by an acquaintance working on her PhD -- and important to me because i am so out of touch with the academic world.

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memberi wawasan bagi pemula dalam penelitian kualitatif, khususnya grounded research. Tapi utnuk melakukan peneltiian grounded, belum cukup dengan hanya membaca buku ini. Kelebihan buku ini ialah dalam hal penjelasan langkah-langkah coding yang meliputi open coding, axial coding, dan selective coding (walaupun masih perlu berkerut dahi dan untuk melakukannya itu masih "urusan lain") dibandingkan buku-buku lain yang pernah saya baca (emang bacanya masih terbatas sekali sih...).

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style for this book is very clinical and not very engaging. However, the information and examples provided are incredibly useful, so stock up on some caffeine. There are a lot of references to other qualitative research books and studies, so if what you need isn't here, you can find it in the references.

[Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

deeply helpful

[Kate Raven]

back in school. obviously.

[Agoes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baru baca sampai langkah Selective Coding aja... dalam rangka ujian akhir, hahaha!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[We'reelof · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essential for anyone learning about Grounded Theory – whether you like the method itself or not (which I don't).

[Mybonab777]

for study of my thesis

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz is it time to graduate yet?

[Ebony · Rating 3 out of 5]

good textbook on qualitative research. perfect for undergrads and early grad students.

[Siti Rodiyah]

dapet buku ini di perpus,, :D

[Emmy Hakizimana]

I want to ready