Sociologist robert merton introduced the term "anomie" into the sociological literature to describe a loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective.

That statement is false

The one that introduced the term anomie was emile durkheim, Merton only use Durkheim's notion of anomie and make a little adjustiment toward it, to explain the reason why people reject or accept a certain societal goal, whether by following socially acceptable means to fulfill their need or abandoning their life altogether.

i would say b. research typically uses a variety of sources