Comparability of Theory Maps

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What?

Theory Maps about competing theories can be easily compared.

Why?

Two reasons:

• Ease of communication: by following common conventions it easy to read and understand them.
  
• Ease of selection: comparability allows a common test for the truth to be applied to allow one to select theory that has the greatest probability of being true.

How?

Theory Maps for competing theories have to follow common rules, which include:

• Layout conventions: see the Process of Theory Mapping.
  
• Stick to the facts: evidence to support arguments can only come from an agreed set of facts, with rules concerning what constitutes a fact and what information should be provided about the fact (see Stage 2: Collection of Facts in Process of Theory Mapping) .
  
• Explaining counter-evidence: each theory must provide explanations of the facts used to support competing theories (see Stage 3: Draft Theory Map to fit the facts in Process of Theory Mapping).

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