Inductive reasoning is a method of reasoning in which general conclusions are drawn from specific observations or examples. For instance, if you observe that the sun rises in the east every morning, you might conclude that the sun always rises in the east. This approach is often used in scientific research to formulate hypotheses based on collected data. In contrast to deductive reasoning, which starts with a general statement and moves to a specific conclusion, inductive reasoning allows for the possibility that the conclusion may not always be true. It is commonly used in everyday decision-making and problem-solving, as it helps to identify patterns and trends based on limited information.