"The main concern of the study is with the outline of a theoretical system. Its minor variations from writer to writer are not a matter of concern to this analysis"

This quote by Talcott Parsons is describing the study of a theoretical system. He is recommending that the minor variations between authors must not be a focus of the analysis. Rather, the primary issue needs to be with the summary of the theoretical system. This indicates that the focus must be on the general structure of the system, instead of the little information that may differ in between authors. This is necessary due to the fact that it allows for a more detailed understanding of the theoretical system as an entire, instead of simply the specific parts. By understanding the general structure, it is possible to gain a much better understanding of how the system works and how it can be used in different contexts.