Inductive and deductive reasoning

Did the studies use inductive or deductive research methods? Explain.

It was clearly an example of deductive reasoning.

Why did the researcher choose induction or deduction for the study?

The study's authors clearly wanted to focus on Latina scientists and engineers and what leads to them being successful. As noted in abstract, the authors sough to reveal the mentoring and positive experiences of Latinas in the STEM field.

Do you think the choice of induction or deduction was correct for the study?

Absolutely. If the desired data and things to check are known in advance, the deductive reasoning path is the way to go. If this was a situation where the author was looking for something else and came across the Latina STEM mentorship and such, then inductive would be the expected result.

What data collection methods, instruments, samples, or settings were NOT used?

They used interviews, based on the abstract. As such, they did not do surveys, such as with Likert scales. They also did primary and personal research rather than using data from sources created and fostered by someone else.

Why do you believe the researchers chose to avoid these methods, instruments, samples, or settings?

You will tend to trust your data more if it's from our own work and you feel the methodology behind the same is good (and/or better than someone else doing similar work.

What potential gaps do these omissions create?

Just because you do your own work does not mean it was done right. Aligning your own results with the work of others is often actually wise.

What specific gaps did the researcher identify as recommendations for future studies?

Fully identifying and fostering the gaps in mentorship and Latina-specific avenues in the STEM field. Basically, it is noted that there are definitely some lessons to learn but there is more to find and flesh out.

Did the studies use inductive or deductive research methods? Explain.

This one was also deductive. What the authors wanted to study and prove was clearly known in advance.

Why did the researcher choose induction or deduction for the study?

They had an idea about what they wanted to know and prove and thus the deductive method is the way to go.

Do you think the choice of induction or deduction was correct for the study?

Yes. If one wants to prove or disprove a certain question or hypothesis, dedication is the proper way to proceed.

What data collection methods, instruments, samples, or settings were NOT used?

They used data from pre-created sources...so they did not use primary research at all and they did not use surveys, interviews or other methods like that.

Why do you believe the researchers chose to avoid these methods, instruments, samples, or settings?

It really was not necessary. To create the data that they used themselves would be non-necessary and would unnecessarily create more work.

What potential gaps do these omissions create?

The data source they used may not have been complete or completely accurate.

What specific gaps did the researcher identify as recommendations for future studies?

The three limitations they note include STEM degree persistence, STEM degree completion and STEM career choice upon graduation. These are all relevant to what was studied in this report but they were not covered, as admitted by the authors. As such future studies should add that or focus on that.

References

Moakler, M. & Kim, M. M. (2014). College major choice in STEM: Revisiting confidence and demographic factors. Career Development Quarterly, 62, 128-143.

Miguel, A. & Kim, M. (2015). Successful Latina scientists and engineers: Their lived mentoring experiences and career development. Journal of Career Development,

42(2), 133-148.