Using Induction Wisely

Make better inductive generalizations with these practices:

• Seek variety in your observations — diverse evidence produces stronger generalizations than repeated identical ones
• Look for counterexamples — actively searching for exceptions is more valuable than piling up confirming cases
• Qualify your conclusions — "most," "usually," and "tends to" are more honest than "all" and "always"
• Update with new evidence — when evidence contradicts your generalization, change the generalization, not the evidence
• Separate correlation from causation — two things happening together does not mean one causes the other