Deductive and Inductive Research

Depending on your research questions and the current state of research in your specific field, you decide how you want to conduct empirical research. Here you can choose from two basic approaches: Deductive research or inductive research. They represent the two poles of empirical research — yet differ clearly from one another. You will learn the exact differences in detail in the following chapter.

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Deductive Research — The "Classic" in Thesis Writing

In deductive research, the goal is to draw conclusions from a general statement to a specific case. You attempt to verify a general theory using a direct example. This follows the following process:

1. Define research topic
2. Present existing theory 
3. Set hypothesis 
4. Data collection
5. Confirm or refute hypothesis

 

Explained with an example:

1. You decide on the research topic "Online payment systems in Germany"
2. There is a theory in the literature which states that for all people living in Germany data protection and security are the most important features of online payment systems
3. Based on this, you set up the hypothesis that your fellow roommates also rate data protection and security as equally important
4. You conduct a data collection (you survey your roommates on the topic) and receive different answers
5. The hypothesis can be refuted: Data protection and security are not the most important features of online payment systems for all people living in Germany

 

In short: Deductive Research

Deductive procedure describes a scientific method to derive a specific or concrete individual case from general theories, laws, and regularities.

> Deductive: Definition and Examples

 

Inductive Research

In inductive research, the goal is to make a general statement with the help of a specific case. You attempt to draw conclusions from an observed event that apply to the general population in this type of research. Inductive research is conducted in the following steps:

1. Define research topic
2. Observation
3. Data collection
4. Set hypothesis
5. Create theory

 

Explained with an example:

1. You decide on the research topic Online payment systems in Germany
2. Your own observations have shown that two friends rate data protection and security as the most important features of online payment systems
3. You conduct a data collection with a large number of people and observe whether certain trends emerge
4. If all respondents said that data protection and security are the most important features, you can then form the hypothesis that this also applies to all people living in Germany.
5. The results show that all respondents confirmed this.
   So now the theory is: All people living in Germany rate data protection and security as the most important features of online payment systems.

 

In short: Inductive Research

Inductive procedure describes a scientific method in which conclusions are drawn from individual cases or observations to the general law or pattern.

> Inductive: Definition and Examples

 

Deductive or Inductive? Crucial for Further Research Planning

Depending on which research approach you choose for your research project or which research approach is suitable for your investigation (deductive or inductive), you can then select the research method. Should it be an interview, a focus group discussion, or a standardized (online) survey? To make your choice easier, we show you in the following chapters which research methods can be used and what you need to pay attention to with each method.