Limiting Misleading ideas about the History of Grounded Theory Methodology

Abstract

Since its inception in the sociological field more than fifty years, Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM) has been extended to a range of research areas but there still be confusions and misconceptions about its history and methodological principles. This paper attempts to provide a full theoretical overview of the history of GTM and allows limiting misconceptions about the methodology itself. Drawing upon social sciences perspectives, the paper begins by briefly shedding the light on two major related concepts: Grounded Theory (GT) and Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM). It continues by defining what GTM really means and outlines the reasons behind The Discovery of grounded theory and further focuses on the big split that gave birth to three schools of Grounded Theory Methodology: Glaserian, Straussian and Constructivist GTM.