deduction

deduction, deductive
The use of logical rules to arrive at a set of premisses from which certain conclusions must follow. Deduction begins with theory, moves to hypotheses derived from the theory, and then tests hypotheses via prediction and observations. This approach to testing and theory is often referred to as the hypothetico-deductive method, and since it emphasizes hypotheses, prediction, and testing, is sometimes held to be the method par excellence of science. See also induction.