1.3.3 Abductive Reasoning

Course subject(s) Module 1. Introduction to Research

Although not formally part of the Science Cycle another form of scientific reasoning you may come across in your research is that of abductive reasoning.

shows jury in a courtroom in a criminal case

[Image: Pixabay, CC0]

Abductive reasoning is a form of scientific reasoning that proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation based on a set observations of which is known that by their nature they are incomplete. You are forced to form and test hypothesis using the best information available. You effectively make a well-educated guess or describe the most likely cause or most likely diagnosis.

Abduction is a form of reasoning often used in accident investigations, a doctor making a diagnosis based on test results and in a less scientific world a jury delivering a verdict in a court case.

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