INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE METHODS OF TEACHING

Students have different intellectual capacities and learning styles that favour or hinder
knowledge accumulation. As a result, teachers are interested in ways to effectively cause
students to understand better and learn. Teachers want to bring about better understanding of the
material he/she wants to communicate. It is the responsibility of the educational institutions
and teachers to seek more effective ways of teaching in order to meet individual’s and society’s
expectations from education. Improving teaching methods may help an institution meet its goal
of achieving improved learning outcomes.

Teaching methods can either be inductive or deductive or some combination of the two.

The inductive teaching method or process goes from the specific to the general and may be based
on specific experiments

or experimental learning exercises. Deductive teaching method progresses from general concept
to the specific use or application.

These methods are used particularly in reasoning i.e. logic and problem solving.

To reason is to draw inferences appropriate to the situation.

Inferences are classified as either deductive or inductive.

For example, “Ram must be in either the museum or in the cafeteria.” He is not in the cafeteria;
therefore he is must be in the museum. This is deductive reasoning.

As an example of inductive reasoning, we have, “Previous accidents of this sort were caused by
instrument failure, and therefore, this accident was caused by instrument failure.

The most significant difference between these forms of reasoning is that in the deductive case the
truth of the premises (conditions) guarantees the truth of the conclusion, whereas in the inductive
case, the truth of the premises lends support to the conclusion without giving absolute assurance.
Inductive arguments intend to support their conclusions only to some degree; the premises do not
necessitate the conclusion.

Inductive reasoning is common in science, where data is collected and tentative models are
developed to describe and predict future behaviour, until the appearance of the anomalous data
forces the model to be revised.

Deductive reasoning is common in mathematics and logic, where elaborate structures of

irrefutable theorems are built up from a small set of basic axioms and rules. However examples
exist where teaching by inductive method bears fruit.

EXAMPLES: (INDUCTIVE METHOD):

1) MATHEMATICS:

A) Ask students to draw a few sets of parallel lines with two lines in each set. Let them
construct and measure the corresponding and alternate angles in each case. They will find them
equal in all cases. This conclusion in a good number of cases will enable them to generalise that
“corresponding angles are equal; alternate angles are equal.” This is a case where equality of
corresponding and alternate angles in a certain sets of parallel lines (specific) helps us to
generalise the conclusion. Thus this is an example of inductive method.

B) Ask students to construct a few triangles. Let them measure and sum up the interior angles
in each case. The sum will be same (= 180°) in each case. Thus they can conclude that “the sum
of the interior angles of a triangle = 180°). This is a case where equality of sum of interior angles
of a triangle (=180°) in certain number of triangles leads us to generalise the conclusion. Thus
this is an example of inductive method.

C) Let the mathematical statement be, S (n): 1 + 2 + ……+ n =. It can be proved that if the
result holds for n = 1, and it is assumed to be true for n = k, then it is true for n = k +1 and thus
for all natural numbers n. Here, the given result is true for a specific value of n = 1 and we prove
it to be true for a general value of n which leads to the generalization of the conclusion. Thus it is
an example of inductive method.

2) LANGUAGES:

A) Development of a story from a given outline is an example of inductive method because the
student may develop any story from the given outline (specific) based on his/her imagination.

B) Writing a letter to his father describing a particular event of his life, is an example of
inductive method because, the event and the language (use of words) differs from student to
student (general) while the format of the letter is always specific as it always starts with
“Respected Father”, then is the body of the letter and finally the closure is done by “your
(loving) son/daughter” followed by name.

C) Writing an essay on “the book I like most”, is an example of inductive method because
while the format of essay i.e., introduction followed by body and finally, the conclusion, always
remains the same (specific) but the book and the reasons for liking it and the words used differ
from individual to individual (general).

3) CHEMISTRY:

Elements in the periodic table are divided into several groups which have similar properties and
electronic configurations etc. Thus if the properties of individual elements in a group like
chemical reactivity, melting point, boiling point, ionization energy etc. are known the properties
of the elements of the entire group can be predicted with very few exceptions. Thus it proceeds
from specific to general and so is an example of inductive method.

4) PHYSICS:
By noting the amount of work done in lifting a body from the ground to a height h, we can derive
the relation between the potential energy of the body (P.E.) with the height attained by it from
the ground, which is P.E. = m g h, where, g = 9.8 m/sec2, the acceleration due to gravity acting
vertically downwards. The height being specific, it proceeds from specific to general and so is an
example of inductive method.

5) BIOLOGY:

a) Morphological and anatomical characteristics can be studied in particular plants with

prominent characteristics, such as Lemna (Duckweed), Eichhornia (water hyacinth) hydrilla,
Opuntia, Accacia, Calotropis (AK); for understanding the ecological adaptations of plants into
three groups on the basis of plant water relationships as Aquatic (Hydrophytes), Terrestrial
(Xerophytes, Mesophytes) and Halophytes. As it proceeds from particular to general, therefore it
is an example of inductive method.

b) The children are explained the consequences of depletion of resources like coal, petroleum
and then let them reason the need for conservation of resources and methods for it. As it
proceeds from particular to general, therefore it is an example of inductive method.

6) ECONOMICS:

By studying the factors affecting inflation which are specific, like the supply and demand of
goods in an economy etc, we can predict as to whether the rate of inflation will rise or fall during
a given period of time (general) which ultimately gives an estimate of the cost of living in an
economy and calculating the cost of living index number, the govt. is able to decide regarding
the extent of increase in the dearness allowance (DA).

EXAMPLES: (DEDUCTIVE METHOD):

1) MATHEMATICS:

A) We have an axiom that “two distinct lines in a plane are either parallel or intersecting”
(general). Based on this axiom, the corresponding theorem is: “Two distinct lines in a plane
cannot have more than one point in common.” (Specific). Thus this is an example of deductive
method.

B) We have a formula for the solution of the linear simultaneous equations as and(general).
The students find the solutions of some problems like based on this formula (specific). Thus this
is an example of deductive method.

2) LANGUAGES:

A) writing a summary of a passage known as précis writing is an example of deductive method

because for the given passage (general) we always have certain key points which are included in
the summary (specific).
B) Explaining a poem in prose with reference to context is an example of deductive method
because the poem being given (general), we always try to pen the specific idea or thought of the
poet in prose. Hence it is an example of deductive method.

3) CHEMISTRY:

The experiment of salt analysis is an example of deductive method because here, we firstly
perform the preliminary test also known as dry test (general) to ascertain as to which group it
may probably belong. The group being ascertained, we proceed to perform specific confirmatory
test to identify the particular salt. Thus it proceeds from general to specific.

4) PHYSICS:

By using the properties of semi-conductors (general), we make several instruments like diodes
and transistors which have (specific) uses like the light emitting diode (LED) is used in remote
control instruments; the photo diode is used for counting the exact number of people present in a
stadium at a particular interval of time. As it proceeds from general to specific thus this is an
example of deductive method.

5) BIOLOGY:

a) This method can best be made use of in the study and understanding of diseases where the
symptoms and precautionary measures of various diseases caused by bacteria, virus and other
organisms can be explained and children are asked to identify the same on the basis of their
understanding.

b) Classification of animals into chordate and Non-Chordate on the basis of their differences.
Since, the differences are general in nature, and the classification as mentioned above is
particular in nature, it proceeds from general to particular. Thus this is an example of deductive
method.

The examples cited above are not exhaustive. Many more examples can be given and from
variety of subjects as well.

Logic and Problem solving are two more areas where these methods find extensive usage.

The major task of logic is to establish a systematic way of deducing the logical consequences of
a set of sentences. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary first to identify or characterize the
logical consequences of a set of sentences. The procedures for deriving conclusions from a set of
sentences then need be examined to verify that all logical consequences and only these are
deducible from that set.

From its very beginning, the field of logic has been occupied with arguments, in which certain
statements, the premises, are asserted in order to support some other statement, the conclusion. If
the premises are intended to provide conclusive support for conclusion, the argument is a
deductive one. If the premises are intended to support the conclusion, only to a lesser degree, the
argument is called inductive.

A logically correct argument is termed “valid”, while an acceptable inductive argument is called
cogent. The notion of support is further elucidated by the observation that the truth of the
premises of a valid deductive argument necessitates the truth of the conclusion. It is impossible
for the premises to be true and the conclusion false. On the other hand, the truth of the premises
of a cogent argument confers only a probability of truth on its conclusion: it is possible for the
premises to be true but the conclusion is false. For example let the premise is: “All teachers are
scholars” and the conclusion be: “There are some scholars who are not teachers”. Let the premise
be true then obviously, the conclusion is false. Hence it is a cogent. Again let the premise is “no
policeman is a thief” and the conclusion be “no thief is a policeman”. Let the premise be true
then the conclusion is also seen to be true. Thus it is a valid (deductive) argument.

Problem solving is another area where inductive and deductive processes may be used.

In inductive thinking, one considers a number of particular or specific items of information to

develop more inclusive or general conceptions. After aspirin was synthesized, for example, some
people who swallowed the substance reported that it relieved their particular headaches. Through
induction the reports of these specific individuals were the basis for developing a more inclusive
notion: “aspirin may be helpful in relieving headaches in general”.

“Deduction” is reasoning from general propositions –or hypotheses-to more specific instances or
statements. Thus, after the general hypothesis about the effectiveness of aspirin had been put
forward, physicians began to apply it to specific, newly encountered headache cases. The
deduction was that, if aspirin is generally useful in managing pains in the head, it might also be
helpful in easing pains elsewhere in the body.

Although a person may deliberately choose to use induction or deduction, people typically shift
from one to the other depending on the exigencies of the reasoning process.

Finally let me compare these two methods.

S.NO

INDUCTIVE METHOD

DEDUCTIVE METHOD

1.

It gives new knowledge

It does not give any new knowledge.

2.
It is a method of discovery.

It is a method of verification.

3.

It is a method of teaching.

It is the method of instruction.

4.

Child acquires first hand knowledge and information by actual observation.

Child gets ready made information and makes use of it.

5.

It is a slow process.

It is quick process.

6.

It trains the mind and gives self confidence and initiative.

It encourages dependence on other sources.

7.

It is full of activity.

There is less scope of activity in it.

8.

It is an upward process of thought and leads to principles.

It is a downward process of thought and leads to useful results.

To conclude, we can say that inductive method is a predecessor of deductive method. Any loss of
time due to slowness of this method is made up through the quick and time saving process of
deduction. Deduction is a process particularly suitable for a final statement and induction is most
suitable for exploration of new fields. Probability in induction is raised to certainty in deduction.
The happy combination of the two is most appropriate and desirable.
There are two major parts of the process of learning of a topic: establishment of formula or
principles and application of that formula or those principles. The former is the work of
induction and the latter is the work of deduction. Therefore, friends, “Always understand
inductively and apply deductively” and a good and effective teacher is he who understands this
delicate balance between the two. Thus: “his teaching should begin with induction and end in
deduction.”

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