THE SIGNIFICANCE OF METHOD

While the importance of metatheory for theory growth has received some attention from sociologists, the importance of methodological prefere nces has been overlooked. We examine an influential model of theory gr owth in social science. This model focuses on theory. We show how rece nt work in the sociology of science suggests an equally important plac e for methodological preference in guiding social research. Bringing i n method allows us to recognize that what often passes for fundamental metatheoretical differences among subfields in sociology actually con sists of minor squabbles over resource allocation. We show that not on ly does social theory grow strategically through theoretical research programs, but that the different forms of theoretical work in sociolog y serve to integrate the work of diverse researchers in a less efficie nt but still effective manner.