Very few empirical studies have been done on research administration. In 1986, Hensley noted, “it is widely acknowledged that research support personnel are essential…to the achievement of the specific missions of postsecondary institutions, and to American technological leadership, yet this vital group’s value to science is largely unrecognized in comprehensive studies; and the field is generally ignored by disciplinary associations in their assessment of the 20 Volume XXXVIII, Number 1, 2007 The Journal of Research Administration science and academic infrastructure” (pp. 47, 48). Hensley’s statement holds true in this century, over 20 years later; with the emergence of the study of research integrity as a scholarly field, it is of vital importance that research administrators define a scholarly model to follow for development, or some other group will define it for us. It is suggested that we establish a modern theoretical model that situates research administration in the overall study of the professions and provides an important theoretical stronghold.