Barney Glaser

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Barney Glaser is a prominent American sociologist who is best known for his work in the development of Grounded Theory, a systematic methodology in the social sciences involving the construction of theories through methodical gathering and analysis of data. He co-developed this methodology with Anselm Strauss.

Early Life and Education

Barney Glaser was born in 1930. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Stanford University in 1952. He later pursued his graduate studies at Columbia University, where he was influenced by the work of Paul Lazarsfeld and Robert K. Merton. Glaser received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Columbia University in 1961.

Grounded Theory

Grounded Theory is a research method that operates almost in a reverse fashion from traditional research and at first may appear to be in contradiction to the scientific method. Rather than beginning with a hypothesis, the first step is data collection through various means such as interviews, observations, and documents. The data is then coded and analyzed to develop a theory. This method was first introduced in the book The Discovery of Grounded Theory (1967), co-authored by Glaser and Anselm Strauss.

Key Concepts

• Coding: The process of categorizing qualitative data and describing the implications and details of these categories.
• Constant Comparative Method: A method of analysis that involves comparing each piece of data with every other piece of data to refine the emerging categories.
• Theoretical Sampling: The process of data collection for generating theory whereby the analyst jointly collects, codes, and analyzes data and decides what data to collect next and where to find them, in order to develop the theory as it emerges.

Contributions to Sociology

Barney Glaser has made significant contributions to the field of sociology, particularly in qualitative research methods. His work has influenced a wide range of disciplines, including nursing, education, psychology, and management.

Publications

Some of Glaser's notable publications include:

• The Discovery of Grounded Theory (1967) with Anselm Strauss
• Theoretical Sensitivity (1978)
• Doing Grounded Theory: Issues and Discussions (1998)

Later Work and Legacy

In later years, Glaser continued to write extensively on Grounded Theory and its applications. He founded the Grounded Theory Institute to further the development and dissemination of Grounded Theory methodology.

See Also

• Anselm Strauss
• Grounded Theory
• Qualitative Research
• Sociology