Investigating the psychological world: scientific method in the behavioral sciences

Brian Haig constructs a broad theory of scientific method, which speaks to the conduct of psychological research.

This abductive theory of method (ATOM) portrays research as a bottom-up process comprising two broad phases: the detection of empirical phenomena, and the construction of explanatory theories in order to explain claims about the phenomena.

ATOM functions as a broad framework theory within which a variety of more specific research methods can be located and employed.

A coherent treatment of those methods is enhanced by placing them within the framework of ATOM.