There is at least one logical exercise that most students perform daily. They take tiny things they have seen into consideration and, based on close observation, draw general principles from them. This is an act known as inductive reasoning. It is a logical process which involves using specific techniques to evaluate a situation or phenomenon. This process has applications in our day-to-day decisions, statistics, and scientific observations.
However, do you know its role in research, and how can you implement it? Most probably not. Well, there is no need to worry because you have just come to the right place. In today’s article, we will explore the role of inductive reasoning in dissertation research. Along with this, there will also be a discussion on its implementation. Before that, let’s start with the definition of this reasoning.
What is inductive reasoning?
Inductive logic or inductive reasoning is a logical process using which a researcher draws a general conclusion about a situation after observing a set of specific observations. This method of doing research is based on developing a theory. It means the results of this reasoning give birth to a new theory that can be generalised to a population. For example, you observe a specific population for 15 years. After 15 years, you can clearly say how much this population’s birth rate is. Based on this, you can also predict the increment in the population that is going to happen in the next 5 years. Hence, this is what inductive reasoning is.
What is the role of inductive reasoning in dissertation research?
Inductive research is all about gathering data through observations and other different methods. It has many roles to play in dissertation research. However, a brief description of the major roles is as follows:
1. Allows greater flexibility
The first role of this reasoning in dissertation research is that it offers a greater deal of flexibility to researchers. They can study the problem or situation from different angles and perspectives. This type of reasoning also allows you to work with a greater range of probabilities and possibilities. To reach a conclusion, you can consider different probabilities.
2. Helps in the development of multiple solutions
Secondly, inductive reasoning helps you develop more than one solution to a problem. It allows you to look at the problem from different angles. This allowance further gives you an opportunity to develop multiple solutions to the problem, which can then be generalised. However, if you cannot do this, go and get a masters dissertation help.
3. Recognition of patterns
The third role of inductive logic in dissertation research is that it allows for better recognition of hidden patterns. When you observe a population constantly, you collect data related to the population. Upon analysing the gathered data, the hidden patterns start showing up, and you get a clear picture of what is inside and outside the population. Hence, the recognition of patterns is another role that it plays.
4. Develops a theory
Through inductive reasoning in dissertation research, you develop a theory. As inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to generalisations about a population, it gives birth to a new theory about the population. This theory may be valid for a shorter period of time, but it is still a theory. Hence, the 4th role of inductive logic in dissertation research is that it develops a new theory.
Implementation of inductive reasoning in dissertation research
It is common to perform inductive research when there is little or no literature present on the dissertation topic. However, how can you implement inductive reasoning to research the topic? Well, the implementation of this reasoning is based on three steps. A brief description of those three steps is as follows:
- Observation. The first step of implementation of inductive research includes observing the population. As the researcher, you observe the population and gather data related to the research problem.
- Finding patterns. The second step is about finding hidden patterns in the data. To find those patterns, you take an overview of all the data and search for patterns. In your overview, make sure to divide the data into several categories and groups.
- Generalisation. Lastly, there is the step of generalisation. In this step, as a researcher, you take all the patterns into consideration and draw a general conclusion about the population. It is also called the theory development stage.
Conclusion
Inductive logic, in simplest words, is a process of concluding something about a population in dissertation research. In this guiding post, we have discussed the role of inductive reasoning in research studies. We have found out that it is very flexible and helps in pattern recognition. Along with this, we have also discussed the implementation of this research. Hence, read all the information discussed above and conduct this research accordingly.
