A variety of proposals for preferred methodological approaches has been advanced in the recent artificial intelligence (AI) literature Rather than advocating a particular approach, this article attempts to explain the apparent confusion of efforts in the field in terms of differences among underlying methodological perspectives held by practicing researchers The article presents a review of such perspectives discussed in the existing literature and then considers a descriptive and relatively specific typology of these differing research perspectives. Studies are reported in a wide range of publications. While some focus on the field (e.g., Artzficial Intelligence), others are concerned with different research areas (e.g., Behavzoral and Brain Sczences). Perhaps, as others have pointed out, "there are undoubtedly some views AI simply adds to the prevailing sense of confusion. AI research, which have been previously reported in .

A variety of proposals for preferred methodological approaches has been advanced in the recent artificial intelligence (AI) literature. The article presents a review of such perspectives discussed in the existing literature and then considers a descriptive and relatively specific typology of these differing research perspectives. It is argued that researchers should make their methodological orientations explicit when communicating research results, to increase both the quality of research reports and their comprehensibility for other participants in the field. For a reader of the AI literature, an understanding of the various methodological perspectives will be of immediate benefit, giving a framework for understanding and evaluating research reports.