HOWE 1998, argues that a principle implicit in the incompatibilist's argument ‘that abstract paradigms should determine research methods in a one-way fashion—is untenable’. That paradigms must demonstrate their worth in terms of how they inform, and are informed by, research methods that are successfully employed.
HOWE 1998 suggests that a key tenet of the incompatibilist's stance—that paradigmatic frameworks should dictate research methodologies in a unilateral fashion—is unwarranted. Rather, paradigms must demonstrate their value through their ability to both guide and be influenced by successful research methods.