As shown in Figure 2.3, inductive and deductive reasoning go hand in hand in theory
and model building. Induction occurs when we observe a fact and ask, “Why is this happening?”
In answering this question, we advance one or more tentative explanations (hypotheses). We
then use deduction to narrow down the tentative explanations to the most plausible
explanation based on logic and reasonable premises (based on our understanding of the
phenomenon under study). Researchers must be able to move back and forth between
inductive and deductive reasoning if they are to post extensions or modifications to a given
model or theory, or built better ones, which are the essence of scientific research.