Deductive reasoning involves a hierarchy of statements or truths. In the process of deductive reasoning, scientists start with a limited number of simple statements or assumptions and build to more complex ones as the scientific method progresses.
One form of deductive reasoning is the law of detachment. This type of deductive reasoning follows this structure: A conditional (if) statement, followed by a hypothesis (then) and a conclusion (therefore).
Another form of deductive reasoning is the law of syllogism, in which the conclusion is supported by two premises. This form of deductive reasoning typically takes on the format All A is C; all B is A; therefore all B is C.
While inductive and deductive reasoning have their places, inductive reasoning doesn’t have a place as part of the scientific method.