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Before freezing the hypothesis of your research, it is imperative to be sure of your research approach.  Research approach is a plan and procedure that comprises steps of the broader assumptions and the detailed methodology of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. A well-structured research approach will greatly help a researcher in the understanding and building a relationship between the theoretical concept and objectives of the study.

Research Approach, what it is?

In the field of science, research approach as a term, may be assigned different meanings. In some of the books and tutorials, you may find that research approach implies methods of data collection and data analysis in general and to be specific, the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods to be specific.

The best understanding of research approach can be that it is a set of general plans and procedures for conducting the study. It is a systematically laid down procedure that has been put down by a researcher for the purpose of smoothly collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Based on this definition and understanding, research approach can be divided into two types:

a) Inductive Approach

b) Deductive Approach

· Inductive Approach: The inductive approach starts with a set of observations from which a theory has been developed. When a researcher adopts inductive approach, he first collects the data that is relevant to the study. After having collected the data, the researcher broadly analyses the data whereby he looks for similar patterns in the data to develop the theory that justifies the pattern. Inductive reasoning is a shift from specific observations to more broad generalizations and theories. Inductive reasoning does not go along the concept of scientific method. It is empirical in nature and works on a concept of acquiring results that are based on experimental findings. The arguments that inductive approach is based upon can be weak or strong. In a situation, when the premise is true, it is likely that the argument is also going to be true. A true argument is termed as a strong or cogent argument. In a contrary situation, when the premise is false, the argument will probably be false.

Inductive Reasoning can further be spilt into the following categories:

· Inductive Generalization: This type of inductive reasoning draws conclusion about the population in general based on the observations of the sample. The sample must belong to the population whose generalized conclusion is being made. To understand it better, the statistical results drawn from the samples are used to make statements about the population. Large samples can be evaluated using inductive generalization technique.

· Statistical Generalization: This technique is also called as statistical syllogism. It uses specific numbers to create statements about the population in general.  This technique is a further sub type of inductive generalization only.

· Causal Reasoning: The causal reasoning, as the name explains, links the cause and effect between the different aspects of the research study. The causa reasoning statement starts with a premise where two events are occurring simultaneously and then choosing any one direction or reject the other direction. The causal reasoning technique concludes with finding the relationship between two events.

· Sign Reasoning:  The underlying premise of inductive reasoning is that nothing causes the other thing to occur. Sign reasoning, however, establishes correlational connection between two things and it proposes that one event may be the sign to impact the occurrence of another event.

· Analogical Reasoning: Analogical reasoning derives a conclusion about something based upon its similarities to another thing. It attempts to link two things together and derives conclusion based on the attributes of one thing and it holds true for the other thing as well. This kind of reasoning can be either literal or figurative. The literal comparison puts forward a stronger case here when reasoning as compared to a figurative one.

  The entire process of inductive reasoning can be split into 3 main stages. These are:

· Observations

· Identifying patterns in observations

· Developing a theory or preliminary conclusion based on the identified patterns in the observations.

 Inductive approach is a commonly used technique by the researcher; however, it has one limitation which is that the conclusions that are drawn based on inductive reasoning cannot be proved in totality, but their validity can be nullified.

Deductive Approach:

Deductive approach is a contrast approach to inductive approach. It is used by researcher or scientists to prove their hypothesis. It begins with theory or some general statements and then moves to a logical conclusion of the premise or statement or theory. It begins with one or more general statements. The researcher always starts this approach with a theory. It is a possibility that this theory be derived from inductive reasoning and the deductive approach tests the stated theory. Once the theory is proven true, the conclusion derived is valid and vice versa. The arguments produced by deductive reasoning may not be necessarily true. The deductive reasoning is used by researchers to prove their hypothesis. In the absence of an identified theory, there cannot be a possibility to conduct deductive research.

Deductive research can be further classified into three types

1. Syllogism: This type of deductive approach works on the concept of conditional statements.  The. conclusion is created by combining the hypotheses. The second statement is derived from the first statement I and it its conclusion. Example can be:

a) If the brakes fail, the car ceases to stop

b) If the car ceases to stop, there will be an accident

c) In conclusion, accidents are caused by brake fails

2. Modus Ponens: In this type of deductive reasoning, the first premise sets the conditional statement to be affirmed and the further statements follow a pattern that affirms the condition stated. Example can be:

a) If a person is born after 2000, they are generation Z

b) Rohan was born in 2006

c) Therefore, Rohan is generation Z

3. Modus Tollens: This reasoning methodology is the contrast of the previous one, which is Modus Ponens. This is also called as the law of contrapositive. Here it negates the condition of reasoning. The example can be a reverse of the previous example:

a) If a person is born after 2000, they are generation Z

b) Rohan is not Generation Z

c) Therefore, Rohan was not born after 2000.

The entire process of Deductive reasoning can be split into 4 main stages. These are:

· Start with existing theory and then create a problem statement

· Draft hypothesis based on the existing theory

· Do data collection and analysis to test the hypothesis created

· Decide whether to accept or reject the hypothesis based on the results of the analysis.

The biggest drawback of the deductive approach is that the conclusions that are derived from the theory can only be true when the preliminary theory set that has been taken from inductive reasoning holds true with all its terms being clear.

Combination of Inductive and Deductive Research Technique

In large research projects, the inductive and deductive research technique can be used together. It of course, starts with the inductive research which helps in creating an effective working theory. Once the inductive research has been conducted successfully, the deductive research validates or confirms the working theory. When the researcher uses a combination of the inductive and deductive technique of research, they can create a project that is structured in nature and the risk of research bias is also diluted to a large extent.

Having understood the features and drawbacks of both the theories, few pointers can be laid down:

· The application of inductive reasoning is in creating hypothesis that are based on the existing knowledge and predictions

· Deductive reasoning can be used to test the outcome of the inductive research approach

· Most of the people rely on the information that can be sources most easily. The same applies to researchers and this could lead to biases in the study

· Inductive reasoning can be the cause of biases and consequently affect the conclusion of deductive approach

· A good scientific approach must be highly focused and should use a combination of inductive and deductive research

Inductive Vs Deductive Approach

· Inductive reasoning follows the bottom-up approach and deductive reasoning uses top-down approach.

· In starting point of inductive reasoning is the conclusion whilst deductive reasoning starts with a theory or premise.

· The foundation of inductive reasoning is the subjective and is drawn from behavior or pattern. Conversely, deductive reasoning is drawn from facts and rules

· The starting point for inductive reasoning is a small observation, that observation becomes the base for developing a pattern, followed by a theory and then the hypothesis is created out of it. Deductive reasoning starts with a theory or premise from where the hypothesis is culled out. Further on some evidence and observations are examined that assist in reaching to the conclusion.

· In the case of inductive reasoning, the argument that supports the conclusion can be strong or weak. In the case of deductive reasoning, they can be proven valid or invalid.

· The transition of inductive reasoning is from specific to general while the transition of deductive reasoning is from general to specific.

· The conclusion of inductive reasoning has the condition of probability attached to it. The inferences are probabilistic in nature.  The generalizations drawn for deductive reasoning are certainly true if the premise or foundation theory is correct.

· Finally, the argument that is based on premise or theory giving the reasons for a suggestive truth of the conjecture is inductive. While, where the proposition is sure of the truth of conjecture. The elementary form of valid reasoning is deductive.

For a quick review, lets understand the difference between the two techniques through the below table and flow chart:

When to use Inductive Reasoning?

The application of inductive reasoning is there in day to day. For instance, what clothes you would wear based on the weather forecast. It is commonly used in scientific investigations where the body of data is evaluated before the conclusions can be reached.

In simple language, the inductive reasoning relies on evidence to support its premises. The deductive reasoning, on the contrary starts with a premise and uses logical rules to derive a conclusion.

The application of inductive reasoning sounds more justified where the information available isn’t enough. It helps one to form conclusions with the use of probabilities and likelihoods in the presence of limited evidence.

When to use Deductive Reasoning?

The application of deductive reasoning can be seen in various aspects of life. To begin with, this type of reasoning can be used for problem solving, in the establishment of an accurate assumption and using that as the base for a reliable solution. Deductive reasoning does not rely on guess work and consequently the scope of error is reduced.

Deductive reasoning also finds its uses in customer service experience. It helps companies to identify the right solution to a customer’s problem by trying to know what makes them dissatisfied. It helps you to add the element of your own knowledge and experience in the field while drawing conclusion. This is greatly found its use in addressing the concerns of the customer and increase their satisfaction.

Conclusion

Both, inductive as well as deductive approach have their own role and significance in research and totally depends on what the researcher intends to do. However, Inductive research is best suited as a pre stage for deductive approach. Used collaboratively they can give very productive results in research.