deductive method

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deductive method" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a reasoning approach which begins with a general statement and then moves to more specific details. For example, you could say: "In this essay, I will use a deductive method to evaluate the different theories of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

However, Thomas Sutcliffe of The Independent was more critical, deriding the premise as "entirely ludicrous", and sarcastically described Mulder's deduction of Tooms' abilities as "clearly another triumph for the deductive method".

Wikipedia

He applied a deductive method of reasoning similar to that used in geometry, proposing that a series of postulates about psychology could be developed, from which logical conclusions could be deduced and tested.

Britannica

On only his second outing in a full-length novel, Holmes is on top form throughout, stimulated by injections of cocaine and his celebrated deductive method ("How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?") Here, unmistakably, is the voice of the master.

The Guardian - Books

Professor Hopkins, who spent more of his academic life as a sociologist than as a historian, preferred the deductive method, forming a hypothesis based on demographic tables, economic patterns and comparative historical studies, and then seeing how the evidence fit the hypothesis.

The New York Times - Arts

And on the other hand, a Greek was driven to secure his own claims from refutation: he must prove them to be true; he must ride hell-bent for incontrovertibility - hence the axiomatic deductive method of doing things and the scientific strategy of, say, Euclid.

The Guardian - Books

From the FMECA, a Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) of the system are built to determine the propagation laws of a failure on the system by using a deductive method.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

This research was conducted over 4½ years and involved both inductive and deductive methods.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He is also a one-time collaborator with the late (and great) Oliver Sacks, and himself a gifted writer who was not afraid to apply the deductive methods of Sherlock Holmes to diagnose his patients.

The Guardian - Books

The particulars of "T Is for Trespass" are current ones -- child sexual abuse, the failure of the elder-care system, and identity theft -- but the motivations for murder and Kinsey's shoe-leather deductive methods are timeless.

The Washington Post

This research is an investigation of the differences between inductive and deductive methods in teaching grammar to adult learners in terms of effectiveness on academical success.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Static analysis of software with deductive methods is a highly dynamic field of research on the verge of becoming a mainstream technology in software engineering.

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the "deductive method", ensure your initial premises are well-supported and clearly stated, as the validity of your conclusions depends on them.

Common error

Avoid using the "deductive method" when an inductive approach is more appropriate. Deduction starts with general principles and moves to specific instances, while induction does the opposite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deductive method" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It is used to identify a specific approach to reasoning that proceeds from general principles to specific conclusions. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deductive method" refers to a specific approach to reasoning, moving from general principles to specific conclusions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's a noun phrase that functions to identify a systematic way of thinking, often used in formal and scientific contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals it is most common in science, news & media, and encyclopedias. When using "deductive method", ensure your premises are solid, and avoid confusing it with induction. Considering alternatives like "deductive reasoning", "top-down approach", or "logical deduction" can also enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deductive reasoning

Focuses on the process of reasoning itself, rather than the specific method.

deductive analysis

Highlights the analytical aspect of the method.

logical deduction

Stresses the logical foundation of the process.

deductive strategy

Highlights the strategic implementation of deduction.

top-down approach

Emphasizes the direction of reasoning from general to specific.

reasoning from principle

Emphasizes the use of general principles to arrive at conclusions.

formal deduction

Implies a structured and rigorous approach to deduction.

axiomatic method

Emphasizes the reliance on axioms as starting points.

inference method

Focuses on the process of drawing conclusions from evidence.

derivation process

Underlines the step-by-step nature of deductive reasoning.

FAQs

How is the "deductive method" used in research?

The "deductive method" is used in research to test hypotheses derived from existing theories. Researchers start with a general theory and then design experiments to see if specific predictions based on that theory hold true.

What are some alternatives to saying "deductive method"?

You can use alternatives like "deductive reasoning", "top-down approach", or "logical deduction" depending on the context.

What's the difference between the "deductive method" and the inductive method?

The "deductive method" starts with general statements and moves to specific conclusions, while the inductive method starts with specific observations and moves to general conclusions. They represent opposite approaches to reasoning.

How does the hypothetico-deductive method relate to the "deductive method"?

The hypothetico-"deductive method" is a specific type of the "deductive method" used in science. It involves forming a hypothesis and then deducing predictions from it, which are then tested empirically.