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Describes focus group interviews, a qualitative research technique. Presents a synthesis of methodological limitations and advantages of this technique. (AM)

Harry M. Markowitz -- Merton H. Miller -- William F. Sharpe -- Robert C. Merton -- Myron S. Scholes

Agassi, Sztompka, Kincaid, and Crothers argue, in various ways, that Merton should not be held responsible for his published views on theory construction, and they provide psychological or strategic explanations for his failure to resolve issues with these views. I argue that this line of defense is unnecessary. A better case for Merton would be that theories in his middle-range sense were a nontechnical alternative solution to the problem of spurious correlation. Middle-range theory was not, however, a solution to the problem of diverse approaches. Merton also did not resolve the problems with his account of functionalism, and the problems undermine the claim that he had a distinctive "structural" approach all along.

'Die deutsche theoretische Diskussion zur Soziologie sozialer Probleme hat sich in einer Reihe von Beiträgen mit der Frage befaßt, ob es so etwas wie eine 'Theorie sozialer Probleme' geben kann. Dabei hat sich der Streit insbesondere an der Frage entzündet, ob die Beiträge Mertons oder die der interaktionistischen Tradition (Blumer, Kitsuse, Spector etc.) die geeignetere Grundlage für ein solches Bemühen darstellen. Der vorliegende Aufsatz soll zeigen, daß zum einen der Versuch zur Entwicklung einer 'Theorie sozialer Probleme' aus epistemologischen und inhaltlichen Gründen scheitern muß, zum anderen die spezifischen Absichten und Vorschläge Mertons in dieser Debatte meist mißverstanden oder unvollständig rezipiert werden. Insbesondere wird postuliert, daß sich die Position Mertons dann sinnvoll nutzen läßt, wenn man 'soziale Probleme als Modell' konzipiert.' (Autorenreferat)

This groundbreaking series brings together a critical selection of key papers by the Nobel Memorial Laureates in Economics that have helped shape the development and present state of economics. The editors have organised this comprehensive series by theme and each volume focuses on those Laureates working in the same broad area of study. The careful selection of papers within each volume is set in context by an insightful introduction to the Laureates' careers and main published works. This landmark series will be an essential reference for scholars throughout the world

Stephen Turner complains about weaknesses of Robert K. Merton's teachings without noticing that these are common. He puts down Merton's ideas despite his innovations, on the ground that they are not successful and not sufficiently revolutionary. The criteria by which he condemns Merton are too vague and too high. Merton's merit is in his having put the sociology of science on the map and drawn attention to the egalitarianism that was prominent in classical science and that is now diminished.

The Case for Reintroducing Merton -- "1930s: The Harvard Years" (Jugendschriften) -- Early Years at Columbia -- Middle Years at Columbia -- Later Years -- Reprise: Merton as Discipline-builder, Theorist, Substantive Sociologist and Moralist -- Merton the Man, His Operational Code, and Influences.