Induction and Deduction Scientific problem solving involves two basic types of reasoning, generally called induction and deduction . This is analogous to the formation of a hypothesis. You make a set of observations, then hypothesize an explanation which accounts for all of the observations. This is a vital kind of self-policing. One of the most significant strengths of scientific knowledge is the degree to which it is self correcting, and this is one part of that.
Deduction begins with a generalization.
Predictions are made based on the generalization, and those predictions are challenged. This, in essence, is the testing part of science. One can't say enough about how important this aspect of science is. But, of course, there are many, many different kinds of ways to test predictions. Some require laboratories and lots of expensive equipment, but many don't.