ABSTRACT

Traditionally, the advancement of scientific work is associated with the notion of 'discovery'. In so far as social sciences are based in some sense on pragmatic knowledge, it would seem probable that advancement towards new understanding is not entirely a function of scientifically formalized procedures. This chapter examines the problem of 'theory-determined facts', in the context of scientific discovery, by questioning the conventionally alleged formal connection between 'theory', 'hypothesis', and 'observation'. It looks at the unofficial techniques of work that condition or cut across the rules of formal methodology. The chapter argues that the elements of the social scientist's work should be analysed behaviouristically, that is to say, as a type of prolonged and variable activity and hence as a process through time. The topic of 'discoveries' was chosen main theme because the term reflects an attitude that is very common among social scientists.