Wildlife Research - Midterm

Question 1

Induction

Answer 1

• Drawing a general conclusion from a set of specific observations. Thus making larger claims (conclusions) than the specific incidences support (specific observations). Involves widening specific premises out into broader generalizations

Question 2

Deduction (“Hypothetical Deductive approach” HD method)

Answer 2

• Based on deduction and is the process of making specific conclusions/predictions about a specific incident (treatment/action) based on general theory or process (hypothesis, theory, law etc.). Then it includes testing to see if the predictions are true relative to the theory.
• In general, it evaluates the “trueness” of the hypothesis/theory

Question 3

Retroduction

Answer 3

• First explanation about “why” a pattern exists. It is the equivalent to proposing a hypothesis to explain a pattern - the “why” the pattern has occurred.
• Implies a mechanism that has caused the pattern.
• Only a guess.. there could be many hypothesis about why a pattern occurs