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Dedicated to all researchers looking for methodological clarity and precision.

Although the researcher may recognise similarities between Stratad Theory and grounded theory, Stratad Theory is not a capture, remodelling, or renaming of grounded theory. Believing this would be akin to qualitative data analyst misunderstanding of classic grounded theory (cf. Glaser, 2005).

Stratad Theory is the egression of something new.

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Foreword

It is with great pleasure and awe that I write this introduction to Last's latest book.

In my opinion, the Stratad Theory method is one of the upcoming methods of theorizing. This is the 4th theorizing method I have had the good fortune to read. Other than Glaser and Strauss (the originators of the grounded theory method), there are Richard Swedberg (The Art of Social Theory) and Shoemaker et al. (How to Build Social Science Theories) who lay down methods for theory development. The latter two do not name their methods but they provide some steps that a researcher can take for theorizing.

Last writes with an easy-to-read style. He provides examples that amply explain a particular strategy. He blends references as old as 200 years (1822) with the latest. This in itself can be seen as a refreshingly subversive act as international academia generally shuns references older than 30 years. I invite scholars to read Stratad Theory and use it to understand social issues. I, for one, will be using it for sure!

Shehr Bano Zaidi, PhD
April 2024

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