Originally published by Abt Books in 1982, this three-part collection of essays taps the seminal thinking of Robert Merton, one of America's foremost sociologists, a social theorist whose work has long had what are described as 'potentials of relevance' for diverse domains of practice. This book examines the interplay between social research and social policy with a focus on the practicing professions | medicine and its allied disciplines, the law, social services, and the clergy. Aimed at members of the practicing professions, sociologists, economists and makers of policy.