Many different kinds of social research have an advance theory. Research the seeks to interpret historical or cultural significance. The testing of theories also advances theory in the limited sense that these tests indicate which theoretical ideas have more support an explanation of social life.
The goal of advancing theory as it used here, however, it involves more than assessing and refining existing ideas. When a theory in advance, it is not necessary to come up with a complete model of society or even some part of it. The development of new ideas and new concepts is the most that research seeking to advance theory usually accomplish
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