Reasoning

Abductive reasoning

Abductive reasoning is the reverse of deductive reasoning and reasons from an observation to the most likely explanation. This is also known as “inference to the best explanation”. It is more selective than inductive reasoning, since it prioritizes hypotheses.

Analogical reasoning

Argument from analogy is a special type of inductive argument, whereby perceived similarities are used as a basis to infer some further similarity that has yet to be observed. Analogical reasoning is one of the most common methods by which human beings attempt to understand the world and make decisions. When a person has a bad experience with a product and decides not to buy anything further from the producer, this is often a case of analogical reasoning. It is also implicit in much of science; for instance, experiments on laboratory rats typically proceed on the basis that some physiological similarities between rats and humans entails some further similarity (e.g. possible reactions to a drug).

Deductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning “top-down logic” is the process of reasoning from premises to a conclusion.

Deep explanatory reasoning

The teacher/tutor and student should focus on deep conceptual models and explanations rather than superficial facts.

Inductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning “bottom-up logic” is the reverse process of reasoning from a single observation or instance to a probable explanation or generalization.