Popper should have been listened to more closely. He proved that there is no inductive method. Much effort has been wasted in designing research that would contribute, but it does not because there is no inductive method. That is to say, there is no method for generalizing from particulars to fully general knowledge. By contrast, Merton put forward two ideas, middle range theory and consolidation of theories, both of which are as important today as they were more than half a century ago.