Posted by
jillian on Dec 20, 2011 in
Issue 3, Dec 2011,
Volume 10 |
Comments Off on Book Review: Essentials of Accessible Grounded Theory (Stern & Porr, 2011)
[Stern, P.N. & Porr, C.J. (2011). Essentials of Accessible Grounded Theory. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press.] Reviewed by Odis E. Simmons, Ph.D. Although Porr is a relative newcomer to grounded theory, Stern has been at it for many years (she received her PhD under Glaser and Strauss in 1977). She has been instrumental in introducing many students to grounded theory, particularly in the nursing field, as well as making notable contributions to grounded theory literature. As Stern’s (1994) observations and insights suggested, constructivist versions of grounded theory emerged and spread in part because grounded theory was often being taught by teachers who themselves had a superficial, distorted understanding of the methodology, because they had learned it “minus mentor.” Given her observations, insights, and writings, when I began reading Essentials, my expectations were high. But, after reading it, I concluded that, in some important ways, it falls short. Given Stern’s considerable experience and previous contributions to grounded theory, it is ironic that Essentials contains more confusing and subtly inaccurate content than a book written for neophyte grounded theorists should. Although I think it is a noble effort with useful information, it contains material that is at variance with classic grounded theory, yet this isn’t made clear to the reader. Because Stern and Porr failed to make a clear distinction between classic and other forms of grounded theory, many readers, particularly neophytes, will of course expect that what they present in this book accurately represents essential canons of all types of grounded theory, including classic. Readers will carry the understandings and misunderstandings gained from the book into their research and discussions with other neophytes and individuals who express interest in grounded theory. As Stern (1994) herself pointed out, grounded theory has been “eroded” over the years. This erosion has led to the distinction pointed out by Charmaz (2000, 2006) between “classic” or “Glaserian” grounded theory versus “constructivist” grounded theory. Any book about grounded theory, particularly an introductory book that purports to be about the essentials of grounded theory, should begin by clarifying this important distinction, lest it not contribute to more erosion of the methodology. Stern and Porr neglected to make this distinction clear, which begets potential misconceptions throughout the book. In Chapter 1, they use the general term “grounded theory” without clarifying whether they intended for the book to be about classic or other versions of grounded theory. The following quote suggests that they maybe meant for the book to be an introduction to classic grounded theory, because it is in these two books that the fundamentals of what eventually came to be termed “classic” or “Glaserian” grounded theory, are laid out. In this book we drawn primarily from Discovery of Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) and Theoretical Sensitivity (Glaser, 1978) to lay out, as accurately as possible, essential groundwork and procedures for formulating explanatory theory (p.37) However, in other locations in the book they legitimize and even encourage actions that are clearly outside the boundaries of classic grounded theory. For example, in Chapter Two, “Brief History of the World (of Science),” in their section titled, “Your Theoretical Lens” (pp. 30-33), they discuss, legitimize and encourage importing “theoretical lenses” and “explicit interpretive frameworks.” They provide examples, such as Wuest’s (1995) proposal that grounded theorists “can attach a feminist epistemological framework to grounded theory in an effort to privilege the voices of women,” Kushner and Morrow’s (2003) recommendation for constructing a framework consisting of feminist teachings combined with critical...