Inductive reasoning is a logical process where conclusions are drawn from specific observations or examples. It involves looking at patterns or trends and making generalizations based on them. 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 type of reasoning is often used in scientific research, where repeated experiments lead to broader theories. However, unlike deductive reasoning, which guarantees certainty, inductive reasoning only suggests that a conclusion is likely true based on the evidence available.