difference between deductive and inductive reasoning? Research methods

What is reasoning?

Reasoning is logical thinking about some facts or existing theories. Mostly reasoning produces conclusions about the facts.

Types of reasoning

Deductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning

Statement 1 : All Apples are fruits [General Statement]

Statement 2 : All fruits have taste [General Statement]

Conclusion : Apples have taste [Specific Conclusion]

Logically true
Realistically true

Inductive reasoning

Statement 1 : Apple is a Fruit [Specific Statement]

Statement 2 : The box is full of Fruits [Specific Statement]

Conclusion : The box is full of Apples [General Conclusion]

Logically true
But Realistically may or may not be true

What is deductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning means reaching a logical conclusion from one or more statements.

If A=B and B=C, then we can say that A=C

Deductive reasoning starts from general evidence and creates a hypothesis. forms a conclusion after testing the hypothesis, a firm conclusion is created.

Deductive is taken from the word “deduction”. So we will Move from general and deduct it till specific.

The approach of deductive reasoning

There are four stages of the approach in deductive reasoning:

Start with existing theory (made in the induction process)
Create a hypothesis based on the theory
Test the hypothesis by gathering data
Analyze data to see whether the hypothesis supports or rejects the theory.

Characteristics of deduction reasoning

Deductive reasoning starts from general theory and reaches a logical conclusion.
Deductive reasoning is also called the top-down approach as it begins with a theory, makes and tests a hypothesis, and reaches a conclusion with logic.
If the evidence is true, the result should also be true.

Examples of deductive reasoning

Example 1:

Existing theory 1: All monkeys are mammals.

Existing theory 2: Mammals have kidneys.

Hypothesis: All monkeys have kidneys.

Example 2:

Existing theory 1: Sajid is a man.

Existing theory 2: Man has 2 legs.

Hypothesis: Sajid has 2 legs.

What is inductive reasoning?

Inductive reasoning is from seen cases to unseen cases. Seen cases provide historical data and with the help of this historical data, we generate some results that can be true or false.

Inductive reasoning collects data and makes a theory however in induction reasoning, you are not sure whether the theory is correct or not. In this logical thinking process, you make observations and draw a conclusion to make the theory.

inductive reasoning starts from small observations and then the conclusion will be general.

The approach of inductive reasoning

The approach of inductive reasoning comprises three stages:

Observation
Observe a pattern
Develop a theory

Characteristics of induction reasoning

Inductive reasoning starts from a particular observation and makes a general conclusion.
It is also called a bottom approach as it goes through observation, creates a hypothesis, and then concludes.
No matter if the evidence is true. The conclusion may be incorrect or wrong.

Example of inductive reasoning

Example 1:

Observation

Students in my class are lazy.

Observe a pattern

All observed students are lazy.

Theory

All students are lazy.

Example 2:

Statement 1: In the previous semester, I daily study for one hour and I got the A grade. Now I am in the new semester and if I study daily for one hour then I will get the grade A (Seen case to unseen case).

Statement 2: Yesterday, I purchase this mobile phone in just 200 US dollars, so when I will visit the market today, I can purchase the same mobile phone in 200 US dollars (Seen case to unseen case).

Statement 3: Shahzeb is a football player and his weight is 70 KG in the previous years 2016. Now in 2017, his weight should also be 70 KG(Seen case to unseen case).

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