What is deductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning is the process of drawing conclusions based on given premises or statements that are accepted as true. This type of reasoning follows a logical progression where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. In essence, it begins with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion.

For example, in a fire investigation context, an investigator might start with a general principle, such as "All electrical fires are caused by faulty wiring." If evidence points to faulty wiring at the scene of a fire, the investigator might conclude that the fire was indeed an electrical fire. This demonstrates how deductive reasoning works by applying general rules to specific situations to arrive at true conclusions.

The other options refer to different processes. Forming hypotheses is more aligned with inductive reasoning, which involves making generalizations based on specific observations. The analysis of experimental data focuses on examining collected data to draw conclusions but does not specifically entail the logical structure of deductive reasoning. Verifying facts is related to ensuring the accuracy of information rather than a logical reasoning process used to arrive at conclusions. Each of these describes important aspects of inquiry but does not define deductive reasoning as accurately as identifying it as the method of drawing conclusions from premises.