What is deductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning is a logical process in which specific conclusions are drawn from general premises or principles. This method starts with a general statement or hypothesis that is known to be true and then applies that to a specific case. For example, if we know that all humans are mortal (general premise), and we have a specific individual, Socrates, who is a human, then we can deduce that Socrates is mortal (specific conclusion).

This approach is fundamental in scientific methods, where researchers often start with a theory (general principle) and seek to confirm it through specific observations or experiments. By following this reasoning, one can ascertain the truth of a particular case based on established truths, which allows for a structured and logical progression of thought.

In contrast to this, the other options describe different types of reasoning and methodologies. Generalization from specific instances refers to inductive reasoning, while statistical or qualitative research focuses on different methods suited to their specific purposes rather than deductive reasoning specifically.