Every kind of research demands a clear and properly structured methodology for it to be successful. What is demanded from a researcher is that he or she should understand the main components of the scientific research method and be ready to ground his or her thoughts and ideas reasonably and rationally (Gravetter & Wallnau, 2007). The phenomena of deductive and inductive reasoning are of great use for this purpose, so this paper considers these methods of scientific reasoning and exemplifies them with statements analyzed. Initially, it is necessary to state that every scientific method consists of several obligatory elements, which include the research questions and hypothesis, research objectives, statement of the purpose of research, literature review, and the methodology of data collection and analysis. These elements are observed in any research work, although sometimes in a different order. Research objectives and questions are set to direct the research, while the research hypothesis outlines the preliminary position of the researcher before the actual scientific work is done. A literature review helps in finding out the already retrieved data, while the methodology of data collection and analysis provide the research with effective means of drawing conclusions from the information obtained in the course of scientific work (Gravetter & Wallnau, 2007).
However, to structure one’s research properly and to ground one’s ideas strongly, it is necessary to know and be able to apply the principles of inductive and deductive reasoning. Firstly, to distinguish between the two types of reasoning one should realize that induction moves in its considerations from the specific to general, while the deduction goes through the absolutely opposite process trying to draw specific conclusions from generalizations considered (Deductive Versus Inductive Reasoning, 2009). For example, induction is applied when a person tries to generalize the color of a stone so that it should become possible to say that all stones of the kind have the same color due to a similar reason, e. g. mineral structure, etc. To exemplify deduction, let us consider the properties of water. If the majority of living organisms consist of water, then it is vital for their activity and overall existence. But there are organisms that can live without water for long periods of time. Therefore, water has different importance for the functioning of living organisms (Deductive Versus Inductive Reasoning, 2009).
Further on, to practice the two types of reasoning, let us consider some more statements. Thus, the statement that male Red-winged Blackbirds display red wing patches to signal superiority to other males is an observation based on induction as the generalization is made from observing several species of the birds, which allowed the scholars to conclude that all male blackbirds behave this way. Other examples of the observations made through induction include the statements that bees make honey, male Red-winged Blackbirds compete for territories, and bees eat honey when no other food (nectar) is available.
A wound is infected is a deductive prediction made on the basis of the fact the wounds are usually infected when they are not kept clean. The same kind of prediction is found in the statements that an infection is caused by bacteria and that a male Red-winged Blackbird displays his red wing patches whenever other males enter its territory. Finally, the statements that honey is the food store for the beehive and that keeping a wound clean of bacteria prevents infection are again the examples of inductively made generalizations based on several specific cases that allowed making them (Gravetter & Wallnau, 2007). Therefore, inductive and deductive reasoning are different ways of supporting one’s ideas, and to carry out successful research one must apply them both correctly.
References
- Deductive Versus Inductive Reasoning. (2009).
- Gravetter, F. J. & Wallnau, L. B. (2007). Essentials of Statistics for the Behavioral Science. Wadsworth Publishing; 6 edition.