Scientific Reasoning: Deductive and Inductive Logic

What is the main difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

• Deductive reasoning uses specific examples to draw general conclusions, while inductive reasoning uses general facts to draw specific conclusions.

• Deductive reasoning uses broad, generalized facts to draw specific conclusions, while inductive reasoning uses specific examples to draw more general conclusions.

• Deductive reasoning is only used in mathematics, while inductive reasoning is used in science.

• Deductive reasoning is always incorrect, while inductive reasoning is always correct.

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis?

• A statement that explains a group of facts or phenomena and is always true.

• A statement that explains a specific fact or phenomenon and is tested in each scientific experiment.

• A broad explanation that applies to multiple events.

• A conclusion based on deductive reasoning.

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What is the role of evidence in scientific reasoning?

• Evidence is used to prove or disprove a conclusion.

• Evidence is only used in mathematics.

• Evidence is not important in science.

• Evidence is used to create new laws of nature.

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What does deduction rely on to reach a conclusion?

• Specific examples

• Broad, generalized facts

• Random guesses

• Unproven theories

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

• Observing that all swans you have seen are white and concluding all swans are white.

• Noticing that it rains every time you see dark clouds and predicting it will rain when you see dark clouds.

• Knowing that all men are mortal, Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is mortal.

• Guessing the outcome of a coin toss.

What is a theory in scientific reasoning?

• A specific fact that is always true.

• An explanation that applies to multiple events and is broader than a hypothesis.

• A random guess about nature.

• A single observation.

How is scientific knowledge mainly gained?

• Through deduction only

• Through inductive reasoning

• By guessing

• By memorizing facts

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What does inductive reasoning use to draw conclusions?

• Broad, generalized facts

• Specific examples or facts

• Mathematical formulas

• Random chance

What happens to scientific theories and hypotheses if new evidence appears?

• They are never changed.

• They are adjusted if new evidence appears.

• They are immediately discarded.

• They become laws.

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What might scientists use the footprints in the diagram to do?

• Prove a mathematical theorem

• Draw conclusions about which animals walked through an area

• Create a new law of physics

• Disprove all scientific theories