Reference table
Inductive vs deductive research compared
A side-by-side table of inductive and deductive research across seven dimensions, from the direction of reasoning and how codes are made to the main risk of each and where it fits in product work. Use it to decide which mode a study is in before you write the interview guide or the coding frame. In Koji you can mix open and structured questions in one study, so both modes can run together.
Where this appears
What's in this reference table
| Inductive | Deductive | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | From data to theory | From theory to data |
| Starting point | Open question, no framework | Hypothesis, framework or model |
| Coding approach | Codes emerge from the data | Codes defined in advance from theory |
| Best for | Exploring new problem spaces, generating theory | Testing hypotheses, validating frameworks |
| Risk | Reinventing established knowledge | Confirmation bias, missing the unexpected |
| Common methods | Grounded theory, ethnography, open-ended interviews | Surveys with hypotheses, structured interviews, content analysis with a coding frame |
| When in product | Early discovery, problem identification | Concept testing, A/B validation, persona refinement |
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<a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/inductive-vs-deductive-research-comparison-table"><img src="https://www.koji.so/visuals/inductive-vs-deductive-research-comparison-table/inductive-vs-deductive-research-comparison-table.png" alt="Table comparing inductive and deductive research by direction, starting point, coding, best use, risk, common methods and timing in product work." width="1200" height="878" /></a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/inductive-vs-deductive-research-comparison-table">Inductive vs deductive research compared</a>, Koji</p>
