Grounded Theory is currently hailed as one of the most used method in qualitative method in the United States. Hailed due to its flexibility and ability to analyze salient and complex issues, Grounded Theory offered possibilities beyond other research methods. Uniquely, Grounded Theory is a still being continuously developed since its creation in 1967 by Anselm Strauss and Barney Glaser.
Currently students by both Strauss and Glaser are developing the methods beyond its original model with the blessings by the creators. In 2009, six of leading Grounded Theorists published the book titled: “Developing Grounded Theory: The second generation”. It became an example how the method is very well alive and breaking new grounds in various fields from nursing; history; Sociology; to communication.
This discussion will discuss the possibilities in using Grounded Theory in social sciences including in Communication studies. Due to its nature, Grounded Theory offered a lot more flexibilities in its application and at the same offering a very comprehensive analysis. Open to general public, participants are free to bring a case studies to be discussed together to exemplify how Grounded Theory can help researchers to develop new understandings on various fields.