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phenomena or variables and, for this reason, it must be empiricallytestable. Where the criterion of a good model is situated in its heuristicpotential (rather than its accuracy), the criterion of a good theory isassociated with its ability to explain: the ability to explain actualrelationships between phenomena. Obviously, in theories we areconcerned with high levels of abstraction: this is one of the consequencesof using constructs as principles of explanation. It is, nonetheless, essentialthat the constructs which are employed are sufficiently explicated, andeventually operationalized, so that it becomes possible to deduce testablehypotheses that may either be supported or rejected on the basis ofempirical data. A good example of this characteristic of theories isreflected in the discussion of the theory of alienation in Chapter 3. In thatsection we indicated how the theory of Seeman, which includes a range oftheoretical constructs such as meaninglessness, isolation, normlessness,and so on, was made measurable through the process ofoperationalization.The most important characteristics of typologies, models, and theories, and therelationship between them, are summarized in the following diagram.Free download from www.hsrcpress.ac.zaFunction(s) (withdistinguishingfunctions in bold)TYPOLOGY MODEL THEORYclassifyingcategorizingclassifyingcategorizingheuristicdiscoveringclassifyingcategorizingheuristicdiscoveringexplanatoryPARADIGMSThus far, we have discussed the most important constructs of the researchprocess, namely concepts, statements, and conceptual frameworks. Throughoutour discussion we have concentrated on the so-called prepositional elements ofthe system of scientific knowledge, i.e. scientific statements in one form oranother. As we emphasized in Chapter 1, certain recent developments in thephilosophy and sociology of science have led to a re-emphasis of thesociological dimension of research. Apart from the purely prepositionalelements (from statements to theories) of science, and the decision-makingstages (from formulating the problem to interpretation) involved in thegeneration of these constructs, there is another important element of thepractice of science that requires attention. In the first chapter of this book webriefly referred to the sociological dimension of science. Here we shall focuson the paradigm concept as the clearest manifestation of the social nature ofscience.144