Crowdfunding your Research

While reading the Science of Blogging blog, part of the 17 Must Read Science Blogs by Next Scientist, I managed to find something very interesting, a potential new source of funding! Raising money through crowd funding, Petridish does for struggling scientists what Kickstarter does for struggling artists.  In the process of putting your project up for public funding, you will likely create some interesting media that will help in enhancing your digital footprint while promoting your project to a wider audience.

Deductive versus Inductive Research Approach

Lets review:
Deductive: more general to the more specific. Sometimes known as the top down approach. Conclusion follows logically from available facts. "Formal Logic".

Usually (i.e. traditionally) is associated with quantitative methods (objective, causation). The type of question is usually pre-specified and outcome oriented. The type of analysis is usually numerical estimation and statistical inference.

Theory -> Hypothesis -> Observation -> Confirmation

General -> Specific

Inductive: specific observations to broader generalizations and theories. Sometimes known as the bottom up approach. Conclusion is likely based on facts. Involves a degree of uncertainty. "Informal Logic" or "Critical Thinking".

Usually associated with qualitative methodology (subjective, meaningful). The type of question is usually open-ended and process-oriented. The type of analysis is usually narrative description and constant comparison.

Observation -> Pattern -> Tentative Hypothesis -> Theory

Specific -> General

Reference: Inductive and Deductive Research Approach