Inductive-Deductive Reasoning

This approach is a combination of deductive and inductive reasoning. Here, the first step is generation of hypotheses from observations. Next, deductive reasoning is applied on the hypotheses to check compatibility with accepted knowledge and determine implications of the hypotheses. Then the hypotheses are refined/ revised, and data is collected to specifically test the validity of hypotheses at the empirical level.

The reason this approach is significant is because it forms the essence of the modern scientific method.

Despite the limitations of reasoning as an approach to determine the truth, it has made several contributions to the development of science, such as

• Suggestion of hypotheses
• Logical development of hypotheses
• Synthesis of scientific findings into a conceptual framework through a process of clarification and interpretation