Karl was trying to figure out the best way to conduct his research study. He considered a plan that started with big ideas and went down to specific ways of collecting, analysing, and understanding data. He wondered how to make sense of what he had found.
His supervisor helped him understand how to shape his research question and approach. The supervisor said, “In all fields, research is key. It lets researchers grow their knowledge and check if existing theories hold up. A well-thought-out research approach will help you understand and connect the theory and goal of your research study.”
Taking this advice, Karl wrote down some important points to look up on the internet. This would help him understand the reasoning and set up the research approach for his study.
What A Research Approach Is
A research approach is a plan in which you will gather information, do studies, and analyses data. It is also base on how you collect and analyse data. There are three research methods: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed. However, if we focus on the overall plan it also divides into three categories such as: inductive, deductive, and abductive.
Inductive Approach:
In the inductive approach, you first gather data. Once you collect all the data, you start looking for repetition of patterns. You use these patterns to structure a theory that explains why these patterns occur. In straightforward terms, the inductive approach is like a journey. It starts with observations and reaches the end with a theory.
It’s like solving a puzzle. You start with many small pieces (the data), and as you figure out how they connect (the patterns), you begin to see the bigger picture (the theory). It’s an exciting process because you never know what outcomes you might get.
Deductive Approach:
The deductive approach is like resolving a puzzle in a reverse way. You start with the theory and then break it into smaller pieces known as observations. In simple terms, you begin with a general theory or an idea. This can be a statement or a premise you believe to be true. From there, you work towards a specific conclusion with logic.
This is like starting with a puzzle which has already been completed and then taking it apart piece by piece to understand how you will fit them together. Scientists most commonly use this approach to test their research hypotheses. It’s a systematic way to confirm their thoughts are accurate and logical. It’s like detective work—you start with a hunch (the theory) and look for evidence (the observations) to prove your point.
Abductive Approach:
We have discussed inductive vs. deductive research approaches; let’s look at our third category, the abductive research approach. It is like a detective trying to solve a mystery. It’s used to overcome the limitations of the deductive and inductive approaches. In this research method, the researchers start with some interesting facts they find while studying events in the real world. These are things that current theories can’t explain.
Abductive research helps researchers make sense of surprising facts or puzzles. It’s like finding a clue in a mystery and figuring out what it means. This approach can lead to new insights and theories.
However, although it’s pretty famous, the abductive approach is challenging to use. It’s like trying to solve a mystery without knowing about the clues.
Because of these hurdles, researchers will likely use the more traditional deductive or inductive approaches. These methods are less exciting but more straightforward.
Inductive Vs Deductive Research
As in the information above, we have learned about the three categories of research approach. Now it’s time to differentiate between the most commonly used research approaches, which are inductive and deductive. So, yes, it’s inductive vs deductive time:
Inductive Research:
Inductive reasoning, or induction, is a process where we make broad generalisations from specific observations.
In this type of reasoning, arguments can either be strong or weak.
- We call the argument cogent if the premise is solid and accurate.
- On the other hand, weak arguments are referred to as uncogent.
It is important to note that even with solid arguments and true premises, the conclusions will sometimes is wrong.
Example of inductive reasoning:
We observe that most men are right-handed. John is a man. So, we conclude that John is likely to be right-handed.
Deductive Research:
Deductive reasoning is a way of making conclusions depending on general rules.
In this process, arguments can be valid or invalid.
- An argument is valid if the logic used is correct.
- Without a theory, we can’t carry out deductive reasoning.
If the premises are accurate, we can prove the conclusions valid.
Here’s a simple example of deductive reasoning:
Every man is mortal. John is a man. So, we can conclude that John is dead.
What Is Inductive Vs Deductive Reasoning
These reasons are two methods to solve problems and make choices. Inductive vs deductive each one has its unique skills and uses.
Inductive reasoning is like a detective’s helper. It helps us examine specific hints or facts and form a general idea. For example, if the grass has been wet in the morning for many days, we might use inductive reasoning to think that it likely rains at night.
Deductive reasoning is like a tool for a maths person. It starts with a general rule and then uses it for specific situations.
Both inductive vs deductive methods are essential in different situations. Inductive reasoning is excellent when understanding the world and making ideas about how things work. Deductive reasoning is vital when we already have an idea and want to use it for a specific situation.
Let’s go through the thorough definitions of inductive vs deductive reasons.
What Is Inductive Reasoning?
This reasoning starts with specific observations and then makes broad guesses or theories. This usually differs from the scientific method, which uses experiments to get results. Inductive reasoning makes guesses by looking at patterns and making guesses.
Inductive reasoning can be both strong or weak. If the starting point is accurate, the guess can also be correct. This is a solid or convincing argument. But, an invalid argument can be wrong even if the starting point is valid. If an argument is weak or the starting point is false, it’s still called a convincing argument.
Types Of Inductive Reasoning
Inductive Generalisation:
Inductive generalisation is like guessing a big theory by looking at a small part. In other words, you use information from a tiny observation to say something about the whole theory. You can use this method to study big groups or groups chosen randomly.
Statistical Generalisation:
Statistical generalisation is like using specific numbers to guess about a whole group of things or people. It’s an inductive generalisation, a fancy way of saying it’s a method of making educated guesses. Another name for it is statistical syllogism.
Reasoning In a Casual Way:
Causal reasoning links cause and effect between different aspects of the inductive vs deductive research study. However, a causal reasoning statement starts with a premise about two events that co-occur, followed by choosing a specific direction of causality or refuting any other direction and concluding a causal statement about the relationship between two things.
Sign Reasoning:
Sign reasoning is about finding connections between different things. Unlike inductive reasoning, where things happen together without causing each other, sign reasoning suggests that one event might be a ‘sign’ or hint that another event will occur.
Analogical Reasoning:
Analogical reasoning is like saying, “This thing is similar to that thing, so they work the same way.” in this you will find a connection between two things base on their similarities. This can be a direct comparison (literal) or more symbolic (figurative). But, a direct comparison usually makes a stronger argument.
Steps Of Inductive Research
- Start by noticing something.
- Look for any patterns in what you’ve noticed.
- Come up with an idea or initial conclusion based on these patterns.
What Is Deductive Reasoning?
This reasoning starts with general statements to make a logical conclusion. Moreover, conducting deductive research begins with a theory, which could be derived from inductive reasoning. This approach is used to test the stated hypothesis. If the general statement or theory is true, the conclusion is valid, and vice versa.
Furthermore, it sometimes produces arguments that may be valid or invalid. If the logic is correct, conclusions flow from the general statement or theory, and the arguments are sound. Researchers use it to prove their hypotheses.
Types Of Deductive Reasoning
There are three types of deductive reasoning:
Sure, let’s simplify these concepts:
Syllogism
This is where you connect two facts to make a new fact
Modus Ponens
This is a way of thinking where you confirm something based on a condition.
Modus Tollens
This is the opposite of Modus Ponens. It is a way of thinking where you deny something depends on the condition. For example, if we know that “anyone born after 1997 they are Gen Z” and “Bruce is not a Gen Z”, we can find that “Bruce was not born after 1997”.
Steps Of Deductive Research:
- Start with an idea and ask a question about it.
- Make a guess based on that idea.
- Gather and look at information to check your guess.
- Decide if your guess was right or wrong.
Limitation Of Deductive Research Approach
In simpler terms, the results you get from logical thinking can only be correct if your original idea is correct and everything is well-defined.
The Combination Of Inductive Vs Deductive Research
Here’s a simpler version in active voice:
When researchers start a big project, they first use inductive reasoning to build a good working theory. Then, they use deductive reasoning to check and finalise the theory. This process allows them to plan their project better and reduces the chance of bias in their study.
Karl learned a lot about inductive vs deductive reasoning. He found out that:
- Inductive reasoning helps us make guesses based on what we already know and predict.
- Deductive reasoning tests these guesses.
- People often use information that’s easy to get, which can lead to bias when making these guesses.
- This bias can mess up the use of inductive reasoning.
- Good scientific research needs focus and uses both inductive vs deductive reasoning.
After hours of hard work, Karl understood why his supervisor wanted a well-planned research question for his study. He realised he had a lot more to learn before getting his doctorate!
Have you ever been in Karl’s shoes, trying to figure out which research method to use? Did you find this post helpful? Let us know your thoughts.
Inductive Vs Deductive Research Pros & Cons
Here, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the inductive vs deductive research approach:
Pros Of Inductive Research:
- It lets you explore new thoughts and viewpoints.
- It can help create new ideas or theories.
- Gives detailed and in-depth information.
- Can easily adjust to changes in the research needs.
- Works well with research methods that focus on words rather than numbers.
- Can understand complicated real-life situations.
- It can help find surprising results.
- This can lead to new questions for research.
- It can include the views of the people involved in the study.
- It can be used to make educated guesses or theories.
- It can be used to study complicated social situations.
Cons Of Inductive Research:
- The results might be different if you do it again.
- The person doing the research could influence the results.
- It might not be suitable for testing specific ideas.
- It would help if you had a lot of data to see general trends.
- Analysing the data can take a lot of time and resources.
- It might not show cause and effect.
- The results might not apply to larger groups or different situations.
- It can take time to understand or explain the results.
- It can be hard to use the same methods in different studies.
- It might not be suitable for making specific predictions.
- There might be mistakes or inconsistencies when collecting data.
Pros Of Deductive Research:
- You can test specific ideas.
- You often get repeatable and trustworthy results.
- You can use statistical analyses to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
- It fits well with methods that use numbers for research.
- The results can guide practices based on evidence.
- It gives you exact and numerical data.
- You can apply the data to a larger group.
- You can control outside factors.
- It can help advance theories.
- You can use it to prove or disprove existing theories.
- It gives you clear and organised steps for research.
Cons Of Deductive Research:
- Fully understand real-life complexities.
- It has limitations in discovering new ideas and viewpoints.
- They miss essential factors related to the context or exceptions.
- Needs knowledge or assumptions beforehand.
- It takes a lot of resources and time to carry out.
- It can have errors or inaccuracies in measurements.
- Not capturing the experiences or differences of individuals.
- It might not represent real-life situations or settings.
- Not consider all possible variables.
- The researcher’s biases or assumptions can affect it.
- They may not be the best for studying personal experiences
Inductive Vs Deductive Research Examples
Examples of Inductive Research:
- A researcher finds how a group of people behaves and then make a theory about why these people behave like this
- They also talk to people who got better from a particular disease. They use what they learn to guess what might cause the disease.
- A researcher gathers information about what customers do in a particular market. They use this information to spot trends to help make better marketing plans.
Examples of Deductive Research:
- A researcher guesses how two things are related. They then experiment to test this guess.
- A researcher develops a theory about how a particular policy affects society. They then gather data to see if the evidence supports their theory.
- A researcher uses what we already know about a disease to predict who will most likely get it. They then use a survey or study to test these predictions.
Inductive Vs Deductive Research Approach: (Conclusion)
Like we said before Inductive vs deductive reasoning is two different ways to figure things out. With inductive reasoning, you start looking at things and spotting patterns. Then, you make a guess or theory about it. On the other hand, with deductive reasoning, you start with a theory. Then, you look at stuff to support and finally confirm if it’s right.
Further, Inductive reasoning uses patterns and trends, while deductive reasoning uses facts and rules.
If we talk about Deductive reasoning it goes from a general idea to a specific one. You might use this to understand how something works by looking towards patterns. It might be better when you’re trying to figure out how two or more things are related.