SOCIOL 2S06 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Alternative Media, Grand Theory, No Alternative
8 May 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
The theoretical ideas of merton: theoretical approach, middle-range theory. Merton was opposed to the grand theory associated with parson"s work. This is at a lower level of analysis. Grand theory is connected to the macro-level of analysis (trying to address the entire society) Middle-range is interested in a smaller level of analysis (micro level) Merton saw middle-range theory as a little closer to the macro level than the micro-level. Refers to series of power relations, social mobility, and interpersonal influence: theory and research. Middle-range theories need to be connected to empirical observations. Isn"t interested in doing anything as abstract as parson"s did. He saw middle range theory in terms of induction and deduction. When we proceed deductively we start with theoretical ideas (a hypothesis), and then do research and collect data. What we find we then come up with how these theoretical ideas are going to apply to the social world. Once we gather data we either accept/reject this hypothesis.
