refers to the inductive method of investigation first used by English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626). The method infers general laws or principles from particular instances observed under controlled conditions (i.e., in experiments). To ensure generalizability, the observer must seek positive instances of an association and negative instances – instances in which the event or state fails to occur in the absence of the other factor (see also method of exclusion- mill
BACONIAN METHOD: “A person using the Baconian method would observe stimuli under controlled conditions in order to eventually establish laws or theories.”