theoryforge: Systematic theory development

Software

Bernabeu, P. (2026) — Version 0.6.0 [Computer software]. CRAN software

Code DOI R documentation Python documentation Browser apps CRAN PyPI Blog post

Abstract

Twin R and Python packages for representing scientific theories as versioned, machine-checkable objects. theoryforge validates theory files, evaluates their specification, derives testable implications, compares amendments and exports diagrams and preregistration materials.

Overview

theoryforge represents a scientific theory as a versioned, machine-checkable document. Constructs, propositions, predictions, alternatives and provenance are linked by identifiers, so the package can validate the specification, derive implications, compare amendments and export a reviewable dossier. The checks describe the completeness and internal coherence of a specification; they do not establish that the theory is true.

Illustrative workflow

The workflow makes the path from a theory file to a discriminating test explicit.

Workflow diagram: a structured theory file is validated, used to derive testable implications, compared with a rival theory and preserved as a versioned dossier — From structured claims to an auditable theory dossier.

Reproducible theory development

Store the theory document, schema version, validation report, derived implications, data-generating assumptions and checksum together. The R documentation, Python documentation, browser apps and companion blog post show how the same specification supports formalisation, testing and preregistration.

Reference

Bernabeu, P. (2026). theoryforge: Systematic theory development (Version 0.6.0) [Computer software]. CRAN. https://doi.org/10.32614/CRAN.package.theoryforge

software R Python theory metascience preregistration

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