Induction, deduction and abduction

Researchers often refer to the type of ‘reasoning’ that they have used to support their analysis and reach conclusions within their study. For example, Krick and colleagues completed a study that supported the development of an outcome framework for measuring the effectiveness of digital nursing technologies.1 They reported completing the analysis through combining ‘an inductive and deductive approach’ (p1), but what do these terms mean? How can these methods of reasoning support nursing practice, and guide the development and appraisal of research evidence?

This article will explore inductive and deductive reasoning and their place in nursing research. We will also explore a third approach to reasoning—abductive reasoning—which is arguably less well-known than induction and deduction, but just as prevalent and important in nursing practice and nursing research.