Define inductive reasoning.

• A. Assuming causation from a single study.
• B. Starting from general laws to specific instances.
• C. Testing a hypothesis under controlled conditions.
• D. Process of making generalized inferences about causation based on repeated observations.

Answer: (D)

Inductive reasoning involves moving from specific observations to general inferences about causation. You look at many instances where a pattern appears and conclude that this pattern is likely to hold more broadly, making probabilistic claims rather than absolute ones. The strength of an inductive claim grows with the quantity and diversity of observations across different contexts.

This is different from deduction, which starts with a general law and applies it to specific cases. It also differs from testing a hypothesis under controlled conditions, which is about empirical verification rather than forming broad generalizations from accumulated observations. Relying on causation from a single study is even more limited, because one piece of evidence doesn’t establish a generalizable causal relationship.