This document discusses inductive research as an alternative approach to theory development where theories are derived from analysis of collected data rather than guiding data collection. It provides an overview of inductive research as a qualitative approach that uses exploratory motives to generate broad generalizations through a flexible design focused on natural settings and in-depth understandings. The document also outlines the process of implementing induction including data collection, examination, and identifying themes to ultimately construct typologies, theories, and models. It notes both the limitations and strengths of inductive research.

1. Inductive Research
by Mariam Bedraoui
Master Student
Moroccan American Studies
Hassan II University
Casablanca

2. Induction: A Research Reasoning Method
 Inductive Research provides an
alternative approach to theory.
 Theory does not guide and
influence the collection of data,
but rather it is derived from the
analysis of the collected data.
 Inductive reasoning generates
broad generalizations from
specific observations.
Collecting
Data
Spotting
Patterns
Developing
Theories

3. Inductive Research: A Theoretical Framework
Inductive
Research
Qualitative
Approach
An
Interpretive
perspective
Exploratory
motives
A Flexible
Design
 Focus on natural settings
 In-depth understandings of variations and
relationships among social phenomena
presented in the form of soft data.
 Interpret phenomena “in terms of the
meaning people bring to them.” (Denzin
1989)
:
 No prior knowledge about a phenomenon.
 A need for an initial exploration of recurrent
patterns and concepts in a research area.
 Study design is iterative.
 Data collection and research questions are
adjusted to what is learned.

4. Implementing induction
 Generating theory from
specific observations is
a studious process of
data collection, analysis
and conceptualization.
 Research literature
offers different
frameworks for
conducting systemic
induction.
 The frameworks supply
the researchers with
different terms for the
approximately the same
analytical phases
Strauss
and Corbin
Coding Memoing sorting
Ian Dey
(1993)
Describing Classifying connecting
Peter
Woods
Primary
analysis
Category
formation
Concept
formation

5. Implementing Induction

Tasks Tools and
Strategies
Outcomes
Collecting
data
Participant
observation
In- depth interviews
Focus groups
Sampling
Field notes
Audio/ Video
recordings
Transcripts
Examining
data
Highlight points in the
text
Write comments on
the margin
Write reflections on
the data
Identifying
common themes
Contextualise
and annotate data
Provide
references to
related literature

6. Implementing Induction

 Tasks: the researcher has to
• organise data in an invented but systemic
way
• identify major categories in the data.
These categories have to be both
inclusive and exclusive
 Strategies: the researcher needs to
• summarise the data
• experiment with a number of formulations
• tabulate categories on a chart
• construct figures
• sketch diagrams

7. Implementing Induction

The ultimate goal of the researcher is to identify regularities, singularities and
variations in the analysed data.
Inductive studies yield three major research accomplishments:
1- The construction of typologies and modals
2- The production of through and intensive analytic studies, what Denzin (1989)
calls ‘thick descriptions’.
3- The generation of valid theories, of what Graser and Srauss (1967) term as
grounded theory. Valid theories are the outcome of:
1- Rigorous analytical procedures: triangulation
2-Combination of inductive and deductive methods.

8. Inductive Research: Limitations
Inductive studies may generate
interesting and illuminating
findings. Single inductive
studies can not provide
grounded theories. Theories are
built through substantial
successions of studies.
Inductive research is highly
demanding. It entails working
out a mass of confusing and
intricate data.
When the researcher is
immersed in working out
generalizations out of data, he
runs the risks of ‘going native’,
and ‘macro-blindness’.

9. Inductive Research: Strengths
Theory is generated from the
empirical data, which helps
reaching a ‘closeness of fit’
between data and theory.
Inductive research is an
alternative approach to
investigate the complexity and
richness of the verbal and non-
verbal behaviour.
Though it is criticised for not
being able to produce theories
in the positivist sense,
inductive research produces
illuminating hypotheses which
need further research work to
test and apply.

10. Inductive Research Methods: A case Study

11. Conclusion
 Inductive reasoning in science is sometimes
contrasted with deduction or, more properly, the
hypothetic- deductive method. However, induction
and deduction may be better considered as
complementary components of scientific reasoning.
 Philosophers of science have argued that the
problem of induction can be overcome partly by
incorporating inductive and deductive reasoning
within the practice of science.

12. References
 Bowen, G. (2008). Naturalistic inquiry and the saturation concept: a research note. Qualitative
Research. 8 (1), 137-152
 Dey, I. (1993). Qualitative data analysis: A user-friendly guide for social scientists. London: New
York, NY.
 Denzin, N. K. (1989). Interpretive biography. Qualitative research methods, v. 17. Newbury Park:
Sage.
 Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Wallace, M. (2006). Encyclopaedia of nursing research. New York: Springer
Pub.
 Given, L. M. (Ed.). (2008). The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research. Los Angeles: Sage
Publications.
 Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2004). Research methods for sport studies. London: Routledge.
 Kothari, C. R. (1990). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Delhi: Wiley Eastern.
 Polit, F. Denise & Cheryl Tatano Beck. (2003). Nursing Research: Principles and Methods (7th ed.).
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
 Top of Form
 Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures
and techniques. Newbury Park, Calif: Sage Publications.
 http://www.fhi.org/NR/rdonlyres/etl7vogszehu5s4stpzb3tyqlpp7rojv4waq37elpbyei3tgmc4ty6dunbc
cfzxtaj2rvbaubzmz4f/overview1.pdf
 http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qualapp.php
 Deductive Research Case Study: http://eca.state.gov/forum/vols/vol38/no4/p26.htm
 Inductive Research Case Study: http://rel.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/37/3/308