How Inductive vs Deductive Research Differs From Each Other?

08 Mar 2024 241 share it:

Students have to collect data for their academic papers, thesis, and dissertation. For this, they do research to gather the relevant information. They have to use inductive and deductive approach. But, many students get confused about them and as a result, they make academic papers by considering them as similar. However, there are differences in both researches. So, if you are also having the same confusion, then you have come to the right place.

In this blog, you will know how inductive vs deductive research are different from each other. With this, we have included examples related to these approaches so you can better understand both approaches. Thus, keep reading the blog and you will gain new insights regarding inductive and deductive research.

A Brief Overview of Inductive Research with Examples

To understand the difference between inductive and deductive, it is vital that you first know both of them correctly. In this part, you will learn the meaning of inductive research. In it, you have to collect and analyze the data to find a pattern. Then, you develop the theory and hypothesis based on it. The main difference between the inductive and deductive approach is that in the former, you first have to do specific observations then you move to the general theories. On the other hand, in deductive research, you identify general ideas and gradually go to the particular theory.

With this, let's understand the stages involved in inductive research.

Stages of the Inductive Research Approach

To understand the inductive research approach in a better manner, take a look at the stages involved in it.

1. Observation

The first stage of collecting data is to make detailed observations of the topic of your study. For this, you conduct surveys and interviews of people.

2. Pattern Recognition

In the next step, you have to look at the data in a detailed manner. For this, you should find the patterns and themes. When you do it, your aim is to find insights or trends to make concepts or ideas.

3. Theory Development

After pattern recognition, you have to create ideas based on it. For this, try to make a group of ideas that are similar to each other. Also, you can combine concepts based on their differences. You have to do all these things to understand the topic of your study.

You have to repeat these stages in the cycle. So, it allows you to improve your analysis rather than testing theories that you do in deductive research. Now, let's take an example to know how these stages work.

Example of Inductive Research Approach

The three researchers conducted a study on how men and boys come to know about menstruation. For this, they conducted interviews of 23 young men and boys on how they learned about it and their thoughts. After this, they find a pattern based on their observations. So, they identified that men and boys know about this through their sisters. Thus, researchers concluded that sisters play a vital role in developing boys' understanding of this concept.

So, in this section, you learned the inductive research and its stages. With this, you also read the examples of it. Moreover, this information helps you understand the inductive vs deductive research approach. Let's move ahead and understand the deductive research approach.

A Brief Overview of Deductive Research with Examples

In the deductive research approach, you start with the general theories and move to the specific ones. For this, first, you have to study the work of other researchers. After this, read the existing theories of the subject that you are studying. Then, test the hypothesis developed from the theories. So, this is the major factor between the inductive and deductive approach. With this, let's read the stages of deductive research.

Stages of the Deductive Research Approach

Just like you read the stages in the inductive approach, in the same way, there are also some phases of this research. But, in it, you have to follow a reverse order. You can use these steps in writing a report or deductive essay. To understand more about the stages, read this section.

1. Hypothesis Formulation

In the first stage of the approach, you have to develop the hypothesis. Then, identify how variables are related. Moreover, you have to build it based on the theories or research done. It is the main factor of difference between inductive vs deductive reasoning.

2. Research Study Design

After you have formulated the hypothesis, you will design the research study. It means, you need to choose the research method and what needs to be measured. So, all these things come under the category of research design.

3. Data Collection

After setting the research design, use different methods to collect data. For this, you can conduct surveys and interviews of people. Moreover, use a standard protocol to ensure the data gathered is correct. You have to collect data in both deduction and induction in research.

4. Data Analysis

So you have collected data, now analyze it. Examine whether the information supports the hypothesis or not. You have to use statistical methods to find patterns. With it, also find the link between variables.

5. Conclusions

In this stage, you have to draw the conclusions from data analysis. So, if the hypothesis supports your study, start making generalizations. If not, you have to follow the entire process again.

So above are the stages you have to follow in deductive research. To understand it, you should read the example given by the experts in academic writing services.

Example of Deductive Research Approach

A case study was conducted on the delay in the arrival of cheap airlines. After this, a hypothesis was created that if passengers fly on such flights, they always experience delays. On the basis of this, data was collected to find the reason. So, it was found that 7 out of 100 flights did not get delayed. Thus, the hypothesis created earlier was rejected, as it did not support the study.

Hope, this example helps you understand the stages of the deductive approach. Moreover, it clarifies the doubt in deduction vs induction. With this, let's move to the next section of the blog and gain more knowledge about the differences between them.

Inductive vs Deductive Research: Their Differences

In the above two sections, you read about inductive and deductive approach briefly. You also understand these concepts with the help of examples. So, now in this part, you will learn the differences between them.

1. Attribute: Approach

It is the main difference between deduction vs induction. In Inductive research, the bottom-up approach is used. It means you have to start your research with the data observations. After this, use data patterns to develop theories or generalizations. Moreover, you have to move from generalizations to specific ones.

On the contrary, in the deductive approach, the top-down approach is used. In it, you have to start with the theories and then test them through observations. After this, you need to collect the data.

2. Attribute: Theories

In inductive, you have to develop theories based on what you have seen and how it has been seen. When using this approach, you aim to create theories. After this, you have to explain them in such a manner that it makes sense.

On the other hand, in the deductive approach, you have to test the theories. For this, you use real-world observations. Moreover, you can approve or reject the theory if it does not support the study.

3. Attribute: Uses

Another difference between inductive vs deductive is its uses. The inductive approach is used to learn about the area of interest when there is limited previous research available. On the basis of it, you have to make new theories or ideas.

You use a deductive approach when you want to test the theory or hypothesis. It is best to use it when the researcher has a clear research question.

4. Attribute: Format

There is a difference in the format of deduction vs induction. In inductive, you have flexibility as you can change your theories based on the findings. It is also open to new information.

On the contrary, in deductive approach is structured. It uses a research design and method that has already been established.

5. Attribute: Basis

The next difference between inductive vs deductive is the basis. Inductive research uses qualitative analysis such as textual or visual. On the basis of this, you have to find the patterns and themes in the data.

In deductive research, you use quantitative analysis such as statistical. You use this method to test the theory and then draw the conclusions.

Thus, above are some of the differences you learn between inductive vs deductive. Hope, this section has clarified your confusion regarding the two approaches. However, if you still face issues with it, you can search for assignment help UK from our experts. To learn more about our services, read the next section of the blog.

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