What characterizes inductive reasoning?

Inductive reasoning is characterized by starting with specific observations or cases and drawing a general conclusion from them. When a specific case supports a general conclusion, it reflects the essence of induction—collecting specific examples, evidence, or data to formulate broader theories or conclusions. This method allows for the development of general principles based on the patterns and trends observed in individual instances.

In practice, inductive reasoning is common in scientific exploration, where researchers gather data through experiments and observations and then formulate hypotheses or theories based on the results. This contrasts with deductive reasoning, where a general statement or principle leads to the specific instances or conclusions, which is why the other choices do not align with the definition of inductive reasoning.

Overall, the key aspect of inductive reasoning is its reliance on specific evidence to support broader claims, making the selected answer accurate in illustrating what characterizes inductive reasoning.