The difference between inductive and deductive research.

d) List the difference between inductive and deductive research.

Research can be defined as a critical and exhaustive investigation of something. It is somewhat like an exploration of something in order to gain more clarity and at times to know its advantages and disadvantages, its strength and weaknesses. It is well established that scientific research is different from other types of information gathering and is based upon certain values and principles:

(a) It has a systematic set of procedures that is to be followed;

(b) all elements of bias have to be eliminated or controlled as far as possible;

(c) It follows a special code of ethics that includes integrity.

The aim should be to fulfill the principles of scientific method as far as possible. The problem solving process of social work practice draws from the basis of scientific method. Research studies have behind them a certain intention or reason, and this includes the basic values and beliefs. It can well be said that there is a philosophy behind every research and it can be broadly classified as inductive or deductive.

Inductive research: Research is inductive when data is collected about a phenomenon before an explanation is hypothesized or suggested. Researchers are open to learning new things and then use the data to theorize new concepts.

 Deductive research: In this type of research, existing theories are used to design a new idea and to conceptualize it. Data is collected and analysed to see whether it is scientifically supported or not. Deductive research also involves exploratory studies conducted to study the extent to which theoretical explanations are applicable to different population groups. They mostly attempt to generalize findings from a small sub-group to a larger group and this as can be well understood has to be done with a lot of care and caution.

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