Inductive versus deductive research
Inductive research/observation/reasoning means using a particular observation to generate general explanation. For example, after eating sandwich from KFC over a month, you concluded that all sandwich at KFC outlets are delicious. i.e. from specific to general.
Deductive research/observation/reasoning means predicting a particular outcome based on a general observation. Considering the KFC example, if after tasting the Sandwich sold in all KFC outlet in a certain small town, you came to the conclusion that the Sandwich from one particular outlet (say outlet G) is the most delicious. i.e. from general to specific.