Final answer:
Reasoning typically involves making an inference, which is a logic-based conclusion. Deductive reasoning, with premises assumed true, can guarantee the truth of a conclusion, while inductive reasoning leads to probable conclusions based on observations and is critical in scientific research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasoning usually requires that one make a(n) inference. An inference is a conclusion reached by applying logic to the evidence provided. When we reason, we often use either deductive reasoning or inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning begins with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. For example, if all living things require energy to survive and ducks are living things, it follows that ducks require energy to survive. Inductive reasoning, on the other hand, makes broad generalizations based on specific observations. For instance, observing that many fruits grow on trees might lead one to infer that all fruits grow on trees, which is not always correct.
While deductive inferences provide conclusions that are guaranteed to be true if the premises are true, inductive inferences do not guarantee truth but rather give us conclusions that are likely to be true based on the evidence. When it comes to scientific research, both inductive and deductive reasoning are essential. Scientists create hypotheses using inductive reasoning and then test these hypotheses using deductive reasoning to draw conclusions about the natural world.