ACROSS FAMILIES/ Reasoning approach
Abductive reasoning
Develop explanations for surprises
Abduction proposes plausible explanations for puzzling observations by bringing empirical material into dialogue with existing concepts. It moves iteratively between data, possible explanations and further enquiry. It differs from deduction, which derives implications, and induction, which extends patterns; a research project may use all three at different stages.
WHEN IT FITS
Use when observations do not fit current explanations and you can compare alternative theories, return to evidence and collect information that discriminates among the candidates.
Strengths
- Supports theoretical innovation grounded in empirical puzzles
- Encourages active comparison of alternative explanations
Limitations
- Plausibility depends on the theories and evidence considered
- Elegant explanations can outpace empirical support
Know the boundary
The best available explanation can still be wrong; abduction does not itself establish causation.
USED ACROSS
Banking & financeBusiness & MBAPsychologyComputer scienceEducation