Development and Experimental Evaluation of Reasoning Form Discrimination Exercises in Three-Clause Arguments

Abstract

Deductive and hypothetical reasoning share common components, however, their reasoning processes and the outcomes they yield differ significantly. Understanding and distinguishing between these forms of reasoning are crucial. Nonetheless, learners often struggle with this discrimination, primarily due to the lack of instructional guidance on how to effectively differentiate between these forms of reasoning. The objective of this study is to provide a learning environment that facilitates the discrimination of reasoning forms. For this purpose, we have proposed a discrimination process utilizing Linguistic Triangular Logic and Formal Triangular Logic. Furthermore, we have designed and developed an exercise environment in line with this discrimination process. The results of an experimental evaluation with university students suggested an enhancement in their ability to discriminate between deductive and hypothetical reasoning.