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After reading this article you will learn about the relationship between theory and research.
1. Greater emphasis be laid on theories of middle range rather than on grand theories. The task of codifying all knowledge relevant to a general theory in social sciences seems incompatible with the temperament of general theorists and is also perhaps beyond their reach at the present time.
The middle range concepts are specific and concrete enough for the researcher to appreciate their applicability to his specific problem and sense their translation into operations.
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2. What is warranted is a shift from theory to theorizing, for, theorizing implies something in process and activity of one’s mind.
3. An eye for the serendipity component needs to be cultivated. From codification of the middle range theories the researcher may come to learn that there are particular anomalous or paradoxical findings he may follow up. He can, thus, become aware of them and be alert to their occurrence.
From his methodological training the researcher can develop skills required to search bodies of data which are likely to yield anomalous findings.
It is gratifying to note that the controversy between theorists and the empiricists is cooling off. A growing awareness has dawned upon the scientists, of the need for more intimate interplay between theory and empirical research.
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Theory and research may, for purposes of analysis, be conceived of as distinct operations but as necessary complementary components of scientific endeavour, they cannot but be together. Neither is complete without the other.