INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC
METHODS (CONT…)
Senour lecturer: A.Salad (MS.c)
DEDUCTIVE/INDUCTIVE RESEARCH
Difference between Inductive and
Deductive approach to research
• The main difference between inductive and
deductive reasoning is that inductive research
approach aims at developing a theory while
deductive research approach aims at testing an
existing theory.
Difference between Inductive and
Deductive approach to research
• Inductive research approach moves from specific
observations to broad generalizations, and
deductive research approach the other way
around.
Difference between Inductive and
Deductive approach to research
• Both approaches are used in various types of
research, and it’s uncommon to combine
them in one large study.
Inductive theory
• Starts with an observation and the end result of the research is
Theory.
• From specific cases to more general but uncertain conclusions.
• Lacks any place for hypothesis, so the researcher is free to
change direction of the study.
• less structured as there is no guiding factor.
Inductive theory
• Appropriate for small sample because small numbers
of samples are analyzed with greater effort.
• More accurate information about the subject matter.
• Concerned with building new theory.
Inductive theory
Inductive theory
• When there is little or no existing literature
on a topic, it is common to perform
inductive research because there is no theory
to test. The inductive approach consists of
three stages:
Inductive theory
1. Observation
• A low-cost airline flight is delayed
• Dogs A and B have fleas
• Elephants depend on water to exist
Inductive theory
2. Observe a pattern
• Another 20 flights from low-cost airlines are
delayed
• All observed dogs have fleas
• All observed animals depend on water to exist
Inductive theory
3. Develop a theory
• Low cost airlines always have delays
• All dogs have fleas
• All biological life depends on water to exist
Example
• You observe 1000 flights from low-cost airlines. All
of them experience a delay, which is in line with
your theory. However, you can never prove that
flight 1001 will also be delayed. Still, the larger your
dataset, the more reliable the conclusion.
Advantages
• Relatively easy to do – just observe the
world.
• Active and interesting subject.
Disadvantages
• Time taking
• May proof false conclusion.
• The conclusion obtained can never be
proven.
Deductive theory
• Starts with the proposition of hypothesis and the end
result is confirmation/rejection.
• from general premises, which are known or presumed
to be known, to more specific, certain conclusions.
Deductive theory
• Starts with the hypothesis itself.
• Appropriate for large sample project
because large numbers of samples are
analyzed with less depth.
Deductive theory
Deductive theory
• When conducting deductive research, you
always start with a theory (the result of
inductive research). Reasoning deductively
means testing these theories. If there is no theory
yet, you cannot conduct deductive research.
Deductive theory
• The deductive research approach consists of four stages:
1.Start with an existing theory
• Low cost airlines always have delays
• All dogs have fleas
• All biological life depends on water to exist
Deductive theory
2.Formulate a hypothesis based on existing theory
• If passengers fly with a low cost airline, then they
will always experience delays
• All pet dogs in my apartment building have fleas
• All land mammals depend on water to exist
Deductive theory
3.Collect data to test the hypothesis
• Collect flight data of low-cost airlines
• Test all dogs in the building for fleas
• Study all land mammal species to see if they
depend on water
Deductive theory
4.Analyse the results: does the data reject or support
the hypothesis?
• 5 out of 100 flights of low-cost airlines are not delayed = reject
hypothesis
• 10 out of 20 dogs didn’t have fleas = reject hypothesis
• All land mammal species depend on water = support hypothesis
Example
• All dogs have fleas (premise)
• Benno is a dog (premise)
• Benno has fleas (conclusion)
Based on the premises we have, the conclusion must be true.
However, if the first premise turns out to be false, the
conclusion that Benno has fleas cannot be relied upon.
Advantages
• If all the terms are perfectly defined it produces
absolute certainty
• Subject is straight to the point
• Time saving
• Applies for practice and application
Disadvantages
• Only comes to a probable conclusion
• Relies on observation and can be subjective.
• The conclusion can only be true if all the
premises set in the inductive study are true
and the terms are clear.
END
THANKS
