ABSTRACT
When asked what the value of theory is to the analysis of sport, culture and society, the following are some of the most common answers given: (i) asking theoretical questions is crucial to allowing us to explain or generalise about sport, culture and society; (ii) theoretical or hypothesis testing is a necessary part of approaching or organising research; (iii) theory is capable of illuminating circumstances or equally destroying certain cherished myths that are often taken for granted without being tested; and (iv) a good theory stimulates new ideas and is fruitful in terms of generating further areas of research or study.
