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Deductive Vs Inductive

The document discusses the deductive research approach. It begins by defining deductive reasoning as developing a hypothesis based on existing theory and then designing a study to test that hypothesis. Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the specific by deriving conclusions from premises or propositions. Some key advantages of the deductive approach are that it allows for measuring concepts quantitatively and explaining causal relationships. The deductive approach is preferred when there is abundant literature on a topic and time is limited. It involves formulating hypotheses, choosing methods to test the hypotheses, examining the results to confirm or reject the theory, and modifying the theory if needed based on the findings.

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Kyle Cuschieri
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111 views

Deductive Vs Inductive

The document discusses the deductive research approach. It begins by defining deductive reasoning as developing a hypothesis based on existing theory and then designing a study to test that hypothesis. Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the specific by deriving conclusions from premises or propositions. Some key advantages of the deductive approach are that it allows for measuring concepts quantitatively and explaining causal relationships. The deductive approach is preferred when there is abundant literature on a topic and time is limited. It involves formulating hypotheses, choosing methods to test the hypotheses, examining the results to confirm or reject the theory, and modifying the theory if needed based on the findings.

Uploaded by

Kyle Cuschieri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Deductive Approach (Deductive Reasoning)

A deductive approach is concerned with “developing a hypothesis (or


hypotheses) based on existing theory, and then designing a research
strategy to test the hypothesis
It has been stated that “deductive means reasoning from the particular
to the general. If a causal relationship or link seems to be implied by a
particular theory or case example, it might be true in many cases. A
deductive design might test to see if this relationship or link did
obtain on more general circumstances”
Deductive approach can be explained by the means of hypotheses,
which can be derived from the propositions of the theory. In other
words, deductive approach is concerned with deducting conclusions
from premises or propositions.
Deduction begins with an expected pattern “that is tested against
observations, whereas induction begins with observations and seeks to
find a pattern within them”.

Advantages of Deductive Approach


Deductive approach offers the following advantages:
1. Possibility to explain causal relationships between concepts and
variables

2. Possibility to measure concepts quantitatively

3. Possibility to generalize research findings to a certain extent


Alternative to deductive approach is inductive approach. The table
below guides the choice of specific approach depending on
circumstances:

Choice between deductive and inductive approaches


  Deductive approach preferred Inductive approach preferred

Wealth of literature Abundance of sources Scarcity of sources

Short time available to complete There is no shortage of time to


Time availability the study compete the study

Risk is accepted, no theory may


Risk To avoid risk emerge at all

Deductive research approach explores a known theory or


phenomenon and tests if that theory is valid in given circumstances. It
has been noted that “the deductive approach follows the path of logic
most closely. The reasoning starts with a theory and leads to a new
hypothesis. This hypothesis is put to the test by confronting it with
observations that either lead to a confirmation or a rejection of the
hypothesis

Moreover, deductive reasoning can be explained as “reasoning from


the general to the particular, whereas inductive reasoning is the
opposite. In other words, deductive approach involves formulation of
hypotheses and their subjection to testing during the research process,
while inductive studies do not deal with hypotheses in any ways.

Application of Deductive Approach (Deductive Reasoning) in


Business Research

In studies with deductive approach, the researcher formulates a set of


hypotheses at the start of the research. Then, relevant research
methods are chosen and applied to test the hypotheses to prove them
right or wrong.

Generally, studies using deductive approach follow the following


stages:
1. Deducing hypothesis from theory.

2. Formulating hypothesis in operational terms and proposing


relationships between two specific variables

3. Testing hypothesis with the application of relevant method(s).


These are quantitative methods such as regression and correlation
analysis, mean, mode and median and others.

4. Examining the outcome of the test, and thus confirming or


rejecting the theory. When analysing the outcome of tests, it is
important to compare research findings with the literature review
findings.

5. Modifying theory in instances when hypothesis is not


confirmed.
My e-book, The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business
Studies: a step by step assistance contains discussions of theory and
application of research approaches. The e-book also explains all
stages of the research process starting from the selection of the
research area to writing personal reflection. Important elements of
dissertations such as research philosophy, research design, methods
of data collection, data analysis and sampling are explained in this
e-book in simple words.
INDUCTIVE RESEARCH APPROACH

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