What type of reasoning is primarily used when from a sample drawn, you make a generalized statement regarding the population?

Inductive reasoning is the process of forming generalizations based on specific observations or samples. When you draw a sample from a larger population and make statements about that population based on what you observed in the sample, you are using inductive reasoning.

For example, if you survey 100 students and find that 80% of them prefer online classes over traditional ones, you might generalize that a significant portion of all students would prefer online classes, even though not every student has been surveyed. This method involves identifying patterns and trends that can lead to broader conclusions, which is the essence of inductive reasoning.

In contrast, deductive reasoning starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. Descriptive reasoning focuses on summarizing data and describing characteristics without making inferences. Transactional reasoning typically involves a process of give and take or interactions and is not fundamentally related to forming generalizations from samples.