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STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC THEORIES
 
Any scientific (or, indeed, rational) theory consists of Model Space (MS) 
and Phenomenon Space (PS).

PS is a set of contingent observations (events) or their references. It is 
unique and theory independent but may be subdivided into theory specific subsets. 
In particular contexts (for instance logic oriented) PS may be called Factual 
Space and observations - Facts.

MS is an abstract structure. 

A common error consists in confusing PS with MS by saying, for instance, that 
events of Special Relativity happen in Minkowski's Space. Events happen in PS. 
A theory, a model such as SR associates PS with a particular MS (for instance 
Minkowski's space), this association meaning that events of PS are expected 
to comply with abstract patterns of MS (for instance Lorentz contraction). 

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In cases where MS is based upon a Space in the mathematical sense (for instance 
Minkowski's space) the relation MS/PS is based upon Einsteins "covering principle" 
(When we say that some segment in PS is 5cm long, we mean that we conceive a 
rigid body "segment" and five bodies "cm" and that following MS's geometrical 
concept of length the five juxtaposed "cm's" are expected to cover the "segment".) 
The "covering" principle says that MS space is never empty and does not have an 
"empty space geometry". Its geometry is determined by the behavior of rigid 
bodies covering its abstract patterns.

Note: I learned these things 50 years ago from Einstein's German manuscripts 
and quote from memory. "Covering" is my translation and maybe somebody speaking 
German, or having English text books could indicate a better one, ("overlaying"?). 
In original it is: "Gesetz der Lagerung starrer Koerper".
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