Following a summary of the methodological and epistemological oppositions which have plagued social analysis, the authors explicate the main epistemological assumptions to which they subscribed for their research on the social costs of the criminal justice system. This study is discussed in detail, including a statement of the research problem, the variables examined, and the choice of methodology. Emphasis is placed on methodological concerns and the distance which necessarily exists between a proposed research strategy and the actual research practices which are dictated either by unexpected findings or by difficulties encountered by the research team while carrying out the proposed project. Included are 22 references. (Author abstract modified)