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William Molnar

In inductive reasoning, the reasoning is a bottom-up approach. The observations in inductive

reasoning starts with the specific observation and ends with a general conclusion. According to

Trochim (2008), the inductive reasoning follows the following format: “observation, pattern,

tentative hypothesis, theory”(p 17).Here is a general example of deductive reasoning. Today, I

left for work at eight o’clock, and was on time. Therefore, every day that I leave the house at

eight o’clock, I will arrive at work on time. The deductive statement is a perfectly logical

statement, but does rely upon the initial premise being correct. Perhaps today, there are

roadworks, so you will end up being late for work. This is why any hypothesis can never be

completely proved, because there is always the scope for the initial premise to be wrong.

Inductive reasoning, while commonly used in science, is not logically valid, because it is not

strictly accurate to assume that a general principle is correct. In the above example, perhaps

‘today’ is a weekend, with less traffic. It is illogical to assume an entire premise, just because one

specific data set seems to suggest it.

This is not to say that inductive reasoning has no place in scientific processes, because it is an

extremely useful tool.

Deductive reasoning it the opposite; the reasoning is a top-down approach. In deductive

reasoning, one begins with a general approach and moves to the specific. According to Trochim

(2008), the deductive reasoning is the following format: “Theory, Hypothesis, Observation,

Confirmation” (p 17).The basic idea is that if something is true of a class of things in general,

this truth applies to all legitimate members of that class. The key, then, is to be able to properly
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William Molnar

identify members of the class. Miscategorizing will result in invalid conclusions.

Examples of deductive reasoning may be both subtle and time-saving. For example, Be careful

of that wasp: it might sting. is based on the logic that wasps as a class have stingers; therefore

each individual wasp will have a stinger. This conclusion is freeing in that we do not have to

examine each and every wasp we ever encounter to ascertain what characteristics it may have.

Because of the validity of deductive reasoning, we may make an assumption that is both useful

and efficient.There is, however, one major weakness in deductive reasoning, a trap into which a

scientist should not fall. Deductive reasoning relies heavily upon the initial premise being

correct. If this premise is incorrect, not only does it jeopardize the deductive reasoning, but the

whole process of logic

Within my field of education, both forms can be used. In teaching music, I apply both inductive

and deductive reasoning to my lessons depending on the concept or topic being taught. For

example, when I am teaching my Kindergarten classes a new concept, let’s say rhythm, I apply

deductive reasoning. I approach the subject of rhythm in a general nature by exposing the

students to various rhythm exercises. I would then begin taking various aspects of rhythm and

narrow it down to more specific rhythm patterns. For example, I might concentrate on rhythm in

beats of 4 and then concentrate on rhythms in beats of 3.

For inductive reasoning, I would apply it to a possible 8th grade lesson. As an example, if I am

teaching the Baroque Period, rather than generalizing about the entire 150 year period and

discussing all the various styles and techniques of the period, I would concentrate first by
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introducing a composer of the period such as Johann Sebastian Bach. Then I would discuss the

various styles of music written by Bach and branch out to the general styles of the period. The

students would first learn possibly what a Fugue is by concentrating on Bach, then discover

Fugue by other composers of the period and then relate the style of the fugue to other general

styles of the period such as Canon, Toccata, Variations, etc.

2.Indicate which type of reasoning you are currently favoring for your own dissertation work

(and it's OK to think broadly at this point!).

For my own dissertation, I am concentrating on the effects of poverty on school readiness skills

in students of high-poverty urban public schools. I feel at this point, the type of reasoning I am

favoring is deductive reasoning. I believe that this will benefit my dissertation because I am

beginning with a general area, students in high-poverty schools. I am then going to look at

specific test scores that would indicate their readiness skills. In this example, I am going from the

general to the specific.

Poverty is a very broad and general term. Poverty is a study of an entire society, not just

individuals, so that is why I believe this is very general. Once I find the social component of the

child, I will then begin to look at his/her performance in school. Now I am looking at individuals.

I have now gone to being specific. This is definitely deductive reasoning.