TCA Lectures What is meant by inductive reasoning? Provide examples regarding application of his method in classroom setting? BEd

If you want to view other related topics. Click Here.

Answer: 

Inductive reasoning is a logical process in which multiple premises, all believed true or found true most of the time, are combined to obtain a specific conclusion. Inductive reasoning is often used in applications that involve prediction, forecasting, or behavior. Here is an example:

• Every tornado I have ever seen in the United States rotated counterclockwise, and I have seen dozens of them.
• We see a tornado in the distance, and we are in the United States.
• I conclude that the tornado we see right now must be rotating counterclockwise.

A meteorologist will tell you that in the United States (which lies in the northern hemisphere), most tornadoes rotate counterclockwise, but not all of them do. Therefore, the conclusion is probably true, but not necessarily true. Inductive reasoning is, unlike deductive reasoning, not logically rigorous. Imperfection can exist and inaccurate conclusions can occur, however rare; in deductive reasoning the conclusions are mathematically certain. Inductive reasoning is sometimes confused with mathematical induction, an entirely different process. Mathematical induction is a form of deductive reasoning, in which logical certainties are "daisy chained" to derive a general conclusion about an infinite number of objects or situations.

What's inductive reasoning, and why is it important in the workplace? Inductive reasoning is a type of logical thinking that involves forming generalizations based on specific incidents you've experienced, observations you've made, or facts you know to be true or false. Inductive reasoning is different from deductive reasoning, in which you start with a generalization or theory, and then test it by applying it to specific incidents. Inductive reasoning is an important critical thinking skill that many employers look for in their employees. Therefore, it is a useful skill to highlight in your job applications and in your job interviews.

Inductive Reasoning in the Workplace

Inductive reasoning is an example of a soft skill. Unlike hard skills, which are specific to your job and generally involve acquired knowledge, soft skills relate to how you interact with people, social situations, and ideas.

Both hard and soft skills are essential for success in the workplace, but soft skills are arguably harder to teach and to learn … which is why many employers place such a premium on hiring candidates who possess these skills and can demonstrate them during the interview process.

Employers value workers who can think logically as they solve problems and carry out tasks, and who can discern patterns and develop strategies, policies, or proposals based on those tendencies. These employees are practicing inductive reasoning.

Examples of Inductive Reasoning

In practice, inductive reasoning often appears invisible. You might not be aware that you’re taking in information, recognizing a potential pattern, and then acting on your hypothesis – but if you’re a good problem solver, chances are that these examples will feel familiar:

1. A teacher notices that his students learned more when hands-on activities were incorporated into lessons, and then decides to regularly include a hands-on component in his future lessons.
2. An architect discerns a pattern of cost overages for plumbing materials in jobs and opts to increase the estimate for plumbing costs in subsequent proposals.
3. A stock broker observes that Intuit stock increased in value four years in a row during tax season and recommends a buy to clients in March.
4. A recruiter conducts a study of recent hires who have achieved success and stayed on with the organization. She finds that they graduated from three local colleges, so she decides to focus recruiting efforts on those schools.
5. A salesperson presents testimonials of current customers to suggest to prospective clients that her products are high quality and worth the purchase.
6. A defense attorney reviews the strategy employed by lawyers in similar cases and finds an approach that has consistently led to acquittals. She then applies this approach to her own case.

*********************************************************************************