Hi everyone
Could someone recommend a good methodology book which looks at grounded theory and different epistemiologies? One of my corrections is to strengthen the methodology section that talks about the approach i took! I know my reasons, but need some back up!
Thanks

Have a look at Glaser & Strauss (1968) 'The discovery of grounded theory: strategies for qualitative research'. In terms of epistemology, a look at any generic philosophy of social science book would be useful, but I recommend Benton & Craib (2001) 'Philosophy of Social Science'. If you want to go into more detail, try Peter Winch (1958 + others) classic 'The idea of a social science and its relation to philosophy'

Hi Kikuka

I am using GT as well, and an mid- analysis at the moment. The books I am using are:

The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research - not just about GT of course but looks at epistemologies, paradigms etc particularly well in the introduction, see page 24, Table 1.2 Interpretative Paradigms. The editors here (Lincoln and Denzin) refer to Flick (2002) quite a lot in their introduction.

Glaser and Strauss (1967) The discovery of grounded theory is really the seminal text as you probably know.

Corbin and Strauss (2008) Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing GT. 2008 is the 3rd ed. and I think most recent edition. It's an updated version by Corbin (as Strauss is dead at this stage) of how to use GT. Chapters have been up-dated and new chapters inserted with the practicalities of 'how' to do GT with examples. Introduction to this is good as it puts GT in perspective, particularly the philosophical orientation of GT.

Charmez, K. (2006) Constructing grounded theory: a practical guide through qualitative analysis - I find this very readable and it is written in the Corbin and Strauss vein. Again Chapter One good, sets it up well and ensures you understand what's behind it before you begin.

Finally I have The Sage Handbook of Grounded Theory - edited book with lots of different chapters from various perspectives.

My supvervisor has advised me to really get to grips with the 1967 original. Even though I am using the Corbin and Struass variant, he says that it is imperative that I am familar with the original and understand where the two original authors diverged.

Hope this helps, and not just confused.

Good luck with your corrections, and thanks again for all that viva info.

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Glaser and Strauss are the originators of grounded theory--but even they seem to have "split" into different schools of grounded theory use. There are some books on grounded theory co-written with Strauss and Corbin, "Basics of Qualitative Research." Those give some background on the "split" ( and differing epistimologies) within it. There is a further developed strand of grounded theory called "constructivist grounded theory", and Kathy Charmaz has written extensively about this--she has a book on it, and chapters in the Sage Handbook on Qualitative Research. That should get you started, hopefully. For basic explanations of research paradigms ( which are inclusive of method, ontology and epistemology) in my opinion nothing beats the handy charts in the Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. Hope this helps!

Edit--

Yes, what Ady said (up)

I just really want to thank both the original poster and everyone that replied, as this thread triggered a sequence of events that lead me to really understand the methodology I was using! so thank you thank you thank you!!

Hi everyone,

I am using grounded theory too and your answers/responds in this thread are really helpful. Thank you.