Final answer:
Inductive reasoning is the process by which a general rule is discovered from specific cases through observation and pattern recognition, essential to scientific inquiry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of discovering a general rule from observing multiple individual cases is known as inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning works by making observations and recognizing patterns to construct broad generalizations. This form of reasoning moves from the specific, such as particular instances or sets of observations, to the general, like hypotheses or theories. For example, if a person notes that swans observed in various locations are all white, they may use inductive reasoning to hypothesize that all swans are white. Science frequently utilizes both inductive and deductive reasoning to develop a deeper understanding of the world, with inductive reasoning being particularly useful in the formulation of new theories based on empirical evidence.