Hypothesis is more important in → Deductive approach

Inductive Approach

• Movement: Specific → General
• Starts with observation → patterns → theory
• Hypothesis is usually absent at the beginning
• Hypotheses may emerge after data analysis
• Example (Sociology): Field observations → concepts → theory (e.g., grounded theory)

📌 Hence, hypothesis is not central in pure inductive research.

Deductive Approach

• Movement: General → Specific
• Starts with theory → hypothesis → data → verification
• Hypothesis is the core starting point
• Research is designed specifically to test hypotheses

📌 Hence, hypothesis is crucial and indispensable.

One-line UPSC-ready answer

Hypothesis plays a central role in the deductive approach, whereas in the inductive approach it is either absent or formulated after empirical observation.

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