Theories of The Middle Range according to Robert

Theories of The Middle Range according to Robert K. Merton in “Theories of The Middle Range”, in Social Theory and Social Structure (3 rd ed. ), 1968 general theories / unified theory suddelny revealing? middle range theories intermediate lie between guide working hypotheses empirically detailed orderly descriptions emp. inquiry P. 51, par. 32 f. “(…) Sociological theory, if it is to advance significantly, must proceed on these interconnected planes: (1) by developing special theories from which to derive hypotheses that can be empirically investigated and (2) by evolving, not suddenly revealing, a progressively more general conceptual scheme that is adequate to consolidate groups of special theories. ” interconnected planes derive Par. 3: “Middle range theory is principally used in sociology to guide empirical inquiry. [codification It is intermediate to general theories of social through paradigms: systems which are too remote from particular see p. 79, par. 78 f. ] classes of social behavior, organization and change to account for what is observed and to those detailed orderly descriptions of particulars that are not generalized at all. ” consolidate more general conceptual scheme groups of special theories investigated P. 39, par. 2: “(…) theories that lie between the minor but necessary working hypotheses that evolve in abundance during day-to-day research and the all-inclusive systematic efforts to develop a unified theory (…)” what is observed Sociological Theory – Major Schools of Thought, PG, ISCTE-IUL, 3 -2016