SPEAK TO THE PROBLEMS 2.2: Drawing Good, Generalized Conclusions

(SHORT NOTES FROM PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:

General Problem-Solving Tools at http://www.socialresearchmethods.net)

Inductive reasoning involves making useful generalizations about the environment as a whole, based on a necessarily limited number of observations.  It refer to the two broad methods of reasoning; the deductive and inductive approaches.  Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific. 

Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories.  In inductive reasoning, we begin with specific observations and measures, begin to detect patterns and regularities, formulate some tentative hypotheses that we can explore, and finally end up developing some general conclusions or theories.

 

These two methods of reasoning have a very different "feel" to them when you're conducting research.  Inductive reasoning, is more open-ended and exploratory.  Deductive reasoning is narrower in nature and is concerned with testing or confirming hypotheses.  Most social research involves both inductive and deductive reasoning processes at some time in the project.