Inductive & Deductive Reasoning Difference

Inductive and deductive are basically two research approaches. While performing the investigation it is very crucial to select the best research approach. Making the right choice of research approach is very much essential for raising the efficiency of the research process. The difference between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning is that one starts with a generalization and then gathers evidence to test it, while the other starts with specific observations, use them to generate new ideas or theories. The latter approach is more exploratory in nature. This blog post will help you learn how these two approaches differ from each other so that you can apply them correctly in your own research.

Introduction of Inductive & Deductive Reasoning

Here is the brief introduction of inductive and deductive reasoning, as follows:

Inductive Research

It is research that researchers use for performing qualitative research. Researchers use such a type of research approach when they have no idea about research results. You can use an inductive approach for developing a new Hypothesis in research. Students, in order to generate a new theory, will require analyzing the previous hypothesis. The inductive approach begins with the observation of phenomena and theories which researcher designs after completion of the research procedure.

Inductive research will allow you to provide a justifiable reason for specific situations by providing examples of real life. In the context of inductive reasoning, before beginning the investigation you need to gather information according to the research topics or subject. You can utilize inductive research there is a lack of previous literature on a particular subject or topic.

The inductive research approach consists of three stages:

1. Observation
2. Observe a pattern
3. Develop a theory

For example, Suppose you have observed a hundred flights at the airport. There was a delay in all flights. After a continuous delay of all hundred flights, you still can’t state that there will delay in 101 flights also. Still, the larger your dataset, the more reliable the conclusion.

Deductive Research

Deductive reasoning is the approach that is supported by the basic idea for developing specific circumstances. This approach is relevant to the Positivism paradigm. While using the deductive approach in research you need to first examine the hypothesis in research. It is a type of research approach that researcher mainly use for performing scientific studies.

The choice of the type of research approach that you are going to select is dependent on the objective of performing an investigation on a specific topic or subject.

The deductive research approach consists of four stages:

1. Start with existing theory
2. Formulate a hypothesis based on existing theory
3. Collect data to test the hypothesis
4. Analyze the result

For example, it has been said that all man is mortal which is basically a premise.
Roman is a man that is second premises.
Roman is a mortal that is the conclusion.

Difference between inductive and deductive research approach