1. 1.

Inductive Research by Mariam Bedraoui Master Student Moroccan American Studies

Hassan II University Casablanca
2. 2. Induction: A Research Reasoning Method  Inductive Research provides an alternative
approach to theory.  Theory does not guide and influence the collection of data, but rather it
is derived from the analysis of the collected data.  Inductive reasoning generates broad
generalizations from specific observations. Collecting Data Spotting Patterns Developing
Theories
3. 3. Inductive Research: A Theoretical Framework Inductive Research Qualitative Approach
An Interpretive perspective Exploratory motives A Flexible Design  Focus on natural
settings  In-depth understandings of variations and relationships among social phenomena
presented in the form of soft data.  Interpret phenomena “in terms of the meaning people
bring to them.” (Denzin 1989) :  No prior knowledge about a phenomenon.  A need for an
initial exploration of recurrent patterns and concepts in a research area.  Study design is
iterative.  Data collection and research questions are adjusted to what is learned.
4. 4. Implementing induction  Generating theory from specific observations is a studious
process of data collection, analysis and conceptualization.  Research literature offers
different frameworks for conducting systemic induction.  The frameworks supply the
researchers with different terms for the approximately the same analytical phases Strauss
and Corbin Coding Memoing sorting Ian Dey (1993) Describing Classifying connecting Peter
Woods Primary analysis Category formation Concept formation
5. 5. Implementing Induction  Tasks Tools and Strategies Outcomes Collecting data
Participant observation In- depth interviews Focus groups Sampling Field notes
Audio/ Video recordings Transcripts Examining data Highlight points in the text Write
comments on the margin Write reflections on the data Identifying common themes
Contextualise and annotate data Provide references to related literature
6. 6. Implementing Induction   Tasks: the researcher has to • organise data in an invented but
systemic way • identify major categories in the data. These categories have to be both
inclusive and exclusive  Strategies: the researcher needs to • summarise the data •
experiment with a number of formulations • tabulate categories on a chart • construct figures
• sketch diagrams
7. 7. Implementing Induction  The ultimate goal of the researcher is to identify regularities,
singularities and variations in the analysed data. Inductive studies yield three major research
accomplishments: 1- The construction of typologies and modals 2- The production of through
and intensive analytic studies, what Denzin (1989) calls ‘thick descriptions’. 3- The
generation of valid theories, of what Graser and Srauss (1967) term as grounded theory.
Valid theories are the outcome of: 1- Rigorous analytical procedures: triangulation 2-
Combination of inductive and deductive methods.
8. 8. Inductive Research: Limitations Inductive studies may generate interesting and
illuminating findings. Single inductive studies can not provide grounded theories. Theories
are built through substantial successions of studies. Inductive research is highly demanding.
It entails working out a mass of confusing and intricate data. When the researcher is
immersed in working out generalizations out of data, he runs the risks of ‘going native’, and
‘macro-blindness’.
9. 9. Inductive Research: Strengths Theory is generated from the empirical data, which helps
reaching a ‘closeness of fit’ between data and theory. Inductive research is an alternative
approach to investigate the complexity and richness of the verbal and non- verbal behaviour.
Though it is criticised for not being able to produce theories in the positivist sense, inductive
research produces illuminating hypotheses which need further research work to test and
apply.
10. 10. Inductive Research Methods: A case Study
11. 11. Conclusion  Inductive reasoning in science is sometimes contrasted with deduction or,
more properly, the hypothetic- deductive method. However, induction and deduction may be
 better considered as complementary components of scientific reasoning.  Philosophers of
science have argued that the problem of induction can be overcome partly by incorporating
inductive and deductive reasoning within the practice of science.
12. 12. References  Bowen, G. (2008). Naturalistic inquiry and the saturation concept: a
research note. Qualitative Research. 8 (1), 137-152  Dey, I. (1993). Qualitative data
analysis: A user-friendly guide for social scientists. London: New York, NY.  Denzin, N. K.
(1989). Interpretive biography. Qualitative research methods, v. 17. Newbury Park: Sage. 
Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Wallace, M. (2006). Encyclopaedia of nursing research. New York:
Springer Pub.  Given, L. M. (Ed.). (2008). The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research.
Los Angeles: Sage Publications.  Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2004). Research methods for
sport studies. London: Routledge.  Kothari, C. R. (1990). Research methodology: Methods
and techniques. New Delhi: Wiley Eastern.  Polit, F. Denise & Cheryl Tatano Beck. (2003).
Nursing Research: Principles and Methods (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.  Top of Form  Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics of qualitative research:
Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park, Calif: Sage Publications. 
http://www.fhi.org/NR/rdonlyres/etl7vogszehu5s4stpzb3tyqlpp7rojv4waq37elpbyei3tgmc4ty6
dunbc cfzxtaj2rvbaubzmz4f/overview1.pdf 
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qualapp.php  Deductive Research Case Study:
http://eca.state.gov/forum/vols/vol38/no4/p26.htm  Inductive Research Case Study:
http://rel.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/37/3/308