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theory to generate predictions which are confirmed when the relevant empirical data are
collected. Comprehensiveness refers to the scope or completeness of these derivations.7

3. The postulates must be internally consistent. Said another way, when viewed
collectively, the elements of a theory must appear logically related and add to a consistent
whole.

4. Empirical definitions are essential. Because theory leads to propositions that can
be tested in the real world, there is a need to define the concepts of the theory in order
that the user can have a means of moving from the abstract to the observable. Difficulties
in this process are obvious; the aim should be to be as precise as the state of development
permits.

Functions of Theory
Theory serves the scholar and practitioner in at least four ways. One function of theory is taxo-
nomic, another is explanatory, a third is predictive, and a fourth is heuristic.

To say that theory has a taxonomic function is to say that theory provides a frame-
work or classification scheme that enables the user to “fit” what is observed or known about
a particular group of events. For example, some of the earlier “theories” of educational
administration focused on the task areas of educational administration (e.g., curriculum,
personnel, facilities, evaluation). If one were studying the use of time by administrators
occupying different posts, such a taxonomy would be useful in organizing the numerous
discrete observations so that meaningful conclusions could be drawn from the data. (One
frequent criticism of some “theories of educational administration” is that they are merely
classification schemes and are useful only as taxonomies.)

Theory also provides explanations for possible relationships among events (e.g., cause
and effect, concomitant variation). For example, assume that while studying a number of
different school organizations, the researcher notes that there is considerable commonality
within each relative to the level of involvement by members of the organization. However,
among the organizations the level of involvement ranges from a negative orientation to great
commitment. Using Etzioni’s theory of compliance relationships,8

Closely related to the explanatory function of theory is the predictive function.
To illustrate, let us continue with the compliance relationships. Assume that in repeated

7 Hall and Lindzey, op. cit., pp. 12-13
8Amitai Etzioni. A Comparative Analysis of Complex Organizations. rev. ed. New York: Free Press, 1975.