Final answer:
Inductive reasoning is the process of discovering general principles by examining specific cases, often used alongside deductive reasoning in scientific methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discovery of general principles by examining specific cases is referred to as inductive reasoning. This form of logical thinking involves using related observations to arrive at a general conclusion. In contrast to inductive reasoning, there's deductive reasoning, which uses a general principle or law to forecast specific results. Scientific methods often employ both types of reasoning to expand knowledge and test hypotheses. For example, in climate science, a general principle might be that a warming climate will alter the distribution of plants and animals, which can then be tested with specific observations.