Deductive research primarily begins with what type of premise?

Deductive research primarily begins with a broad theoretical premise because it operates from a general hypothesis or theory and seeks to test it against specific instances or observations. This approach starts with existing theories or general principles and uses them to generate specific predictions or implications that can be tested through observation or experimentation.

In deductive reasoning, the researcher begins with a well-established theory that provides a framework for the research questions. From this theoretical foundation, specific hypotheses are formulated, which can then be examined through empirical investigation. The goal is to confirm or refute the established theory based on the evidence gathered from the specific cases studied.

This method contrasts with inductive research, which starts with specific observations and aims to develop broader generalizations or theories based on those observations. Such distinctions highlight the foundational approach of deductive reasoning: it is fundamentally about testing theories rather than building them from the ground up through individual cases.