By Munan Singhal
When your conclusions are drawn from certain examples, observations, or facts 3 Tests for inductive reasoning
See if enough examples have been found to back your reasoning Any generalization you make should be based off of at least more than two examples. More sources = More Credibility Book Example: Airbags save lives Show that in many accidents, the passengers in the cars without airbags would not have died had the cars been equipped with air bags
Determine if examples are representative or typical Find examples in many situations and be sure you are accurate Test across a broad range and variety of your topic The accidents in the airbag example should cover wide range of accidents
Do the examples have exceptions? Account for all exceptions in the situation Airbags are not effective at certain speeds so when you make a generalization make sure you specify
Does Secondhand smoke really kill? Secondhand smoke kills according to American Heart and Lung Association Secondhand Smoke- The Invisible Killer
Various Cases Approximately 50,000 deaths in adult non-smokers every year due to secondhand smoke 3,400 die of lung cancer 22,700-69,000 die of heart disease
According to the Surgeon General all secondhand smoke is harmful Contains 200 poisons and 400 cancer causing agents Levels of secondhand smoke is higher in restaurants then anywhere else
Any Exceptions ? Secondhand smoke does not always kill 150,000 – 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in children under 18 months 790,000 middle-ear infections linked to secondhand smoke 202,000 asthma attacks due to secondhand smoke in 2007 in children under eighteen
Does it really kill then? No, but it is harmful and dangerous
1. How many examples should you base your generalization off of? 2. Should you account for exceptions in your conclusion? 3. What are the three tests for inductive reasoning?