Questions: When scientists apply general principles to predict specific results, they are using reasoning.

The answer is deductive reasoning.

Deductive reasoning involves starting with a general principle or theory and applying it to a specific case to predict a particular outcome. This type of reasoning moves from the general to the specific.

For example, if a scientist knows that all mammals have a backbone (general principle), and they encounter a new animal that is a mammal, they can deduce that this new animal has a backbone (specific result).

In contrast, inductive reasoning works the other way around, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories. For instance, observing that the sun rises in the east every morning and then concluding that the sun always rises in the east is an example of inductive reasoning.

To summarize:

• Deductive reasoning: General principle → Specific prediction
• Inductive reasoning: Specific observations → General conclusion

In the context of the question, scientists applying general principles to predict specific results are using deductive reasoning.