Foreword

Abstract

This foreword places the grounded theory method in its historical context. The special issue brings the method back to its sociological roots, although grounded theory has spread across multiple disciplines and professions. The foreword introduces key strategies of grounded theory and how they have changed the conduct of qualitative inquiry and sparked new versions of grounded theory: constructivist grounded theory and situational analysis. The articles in this special issue continue the vibrant sociological tradition of critique and innovation as the authors use and discuss the grounded theory method.