Anselm Strauss: Research is Hard Work, it's Always a bit Suffering. Therefore, on the Other Side Research Should be Fun

Abstract

In an interview from 1994 the sociologist Anselm STRAUSS describes his intellectual biography, influenced by American pragmatism, and his development as well as his influence on the interactionistic sociology from 1940s to 1990s. Some of the central points include the development of the methodology of grounded theory, his research in the sociology of work, organization, and health and his theory of action. In conclusion, in his personal life balance, his emancipatory engagement as an American liberal and his passion for the exploration of existential challenges of human being like dying, "madness," and chronic suffering are highlighted. In the appendix the interview is completed by a memo of Anselm's work as a research supervisor and by the original sound track of the interview, which in comparison to the published version is much more detailed.