THE LOGICAL STRUCTURE OF ANALYTIC INDUCTION.

The article presents a description of the method of analytic induction in sociological research. Analytic induction is discussed as a research procedure, as a method of causal analysis and as a method of proof. As a research procedure, analytic induction begins with an explanatory hypothesis as well as a definition of something to be explained. The hypothesis is compared with facts and accordingly, modifications are made. As a method of causal analysis, analytic induction consists in taking a number of instances in which the phenomenon occurs and finding certain conditions which always accompany that phenomenon. As a method of proof, analytic induction is regarded as a method of proving that the generalizations to which it leads will be applicable to all instances of the phenomenon.