From the Editor’s Desk: Remembering Barney Glaser

We publish this June 2022 issue of The Grounded Theory Review with sorrow at the loss of our dear teacher, mentor, and colleague, Dr. Barney G. Glaser, the co-originator and constant champion of the original classic theory methodology now referred to as classic grounded theory. Several Grounded Theory Institute Fellows and Grounded Theory Review peer reviewers pay tribute to Glaser in this issue. Imbued with both sadness at his loss and a celebration of his life, heartfelt tributes are offered by Astrid Gynnild, Norway; Judith Holton, Canada; Odis Simmons, USA; Tom...

The Future of Grounded Theory

Barney G. Glaser, Ph.D., Hon. Ph.D. Editor’s Note: As we celebrate this great man’s life, we re-publish[1] this gently edited paper about what the future of grounded theory is likely to be. Glaser discussed in whose hands the future of grounded theory appears to be as well as what accounts for its spread, its use, and its misuse. Glaser first wrote this paper in 1998 and updated it for publication in The Grounded Theory Review in 2010. Much of Glaser’s predictions have proven accurate. I would like examine what I consider the future of grounded theory. I will discuss in...

Barney Glaser: Remembering a Genius

Odis E. Simmons I was introduced to the ideas of Barney Glaser in 1967 when I was an undergraduate student at Sonoma State College (now University). I was pondering what field to declare as my major subject. I was interested in sociology, but after reading several randomly selected works of classic and contemporary sociology theorists, I had doubts. These works were written for an academic audience and at that time I didn’t envision myself as an academic. Also, I couldn’t imagine myself being able to write anything like what I was reading. While browsing through the...

The Celebration of Barney Glaser: A Personal Perspective

Andy Lowe Over 30 years ago, whilst I was running the PhD research methodology program in the University of Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow Scotland, I first met with Barney Glaser.  I had just had a book published with two other authors entitled “Management Research.”   The publishers, Sage [to save money], had produced a double-sided flyer to promote the book.  On one side of the flyer was our book and the flip side was another book authored by Evert Gummesson from Stockholm University.  Neither Evert nor I had ever met so we independently decided to contact each...

Building a Learning Community: The GT Troubleshooting Seminar

Judith Holton Abstract This paper explores the evolution of Barney Glaser’s troubleshooting seminar approach to which I add my own experiences as both a participant and facilitator of several similar seminars.  The paper begins by situating the seminar approach in Glaser’s early teaching experiences from which his pedagogy would develop. After recounting my own introduction to GT seminars, I then explore their design, structure, and process. I conclude the paper by offering some advice to those who must learn GT on their own. Introduction Barney Glaser has referred to...

Reflections on the first Grounded Theory Seminar: A tribute to Dr. Bar...

Dr. Tom Andrews, Lecturer Emeritus, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College, Cork, Ireland I first met Dr. Barney Glaser in April 2002 in Paris, France the evening before the first CGT seminar.  At that preliminary gathering I met Dr. Barry Gibson for the first time, who knew Barney.  Amongst the PhD students I met was Vivian Martin and Anna Sandgren and we are still in contact.  Given the high cost of hotels in Paris, I had to stay some distance from where the seminar was being held.  I underestimated the time of getting to the Holiday Inn (the venue) and...