The methodology of scientific research programs developed by I. Lakatos is discussed and applied to the current debate concerning method and theory in historical biogeography. Of the three recognized approaches—centers-of-origin/dispersalist, vicariance biogeography, and Croizat's panbiogeography—only the latter two are progressive scientific research programs sensu Lakatos. Croizat's panbiogeography is considered to be a progressive research program because it has predicted numerous novel facts about geology. Croizat's novel predictions concerning the geology of the circum-Pacific continents and island groups are reviewed and discussed in relation to the latest geological findings which corroborate his work.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Craw et al. (1984) studied this question.