“Time‐Tripping” and Memory‐Making: A Grounded Theory of Grounded Theory

This paper explores the development of grounded theory methodology through the lens of memory studies, introducing the concept of “time‐tripping” as a key generic social process. The paper identifies several sub‐processes of time‐tripping, including “reclaiming,” “resisting,” “retro‐casting,” and “landscaping,” which shape the methodological “imaginary.” Through a “grounded theory of grounded theory” approach, the authors analyze how these processes, influenced by individual and collective memory, authorship, and power dynamics, have contributed to the pluralism of the method. The paper concludes by suggesting that time‐tripping offers a valuable framework for understanding the social processes of memory and forgetting in science.