Contradiction and Abduction

The increasing use of data in educational research, framed within fields like Eduinformatics, necessitates effective strategies for hypothesis generation within the cyclical data-driven and hypothesis-driven approach. However, the crucial step of forming novel hypotheses often relies on Abduction, a form of inference known to be challenging. This paper addresses the difficulty of abductive hypothesis formation by exploring potential aids. Through conceptual analysis grounded in Eduinformatics and IR Philosophy, we investigate the role of contradiction in facilitating this process. We argue that constructively engaging with contradictions—whether they arise from data conflicting with existing theories or from differing normative viewpoints—serves as a powerful catalyst for the "surprise" that triggers abduction. The development of the Significant Other Groups (SOGs) concept is presented as an illustrative case where analyzing contradiction led to new theoretical insight. This study concludes that reframing contradiction not as an obstacle but as a vital prompt for inquiry offers a valuable perspective for enhancing creativity and knowledge generation, thereby aiding abduction within the research cycle in Eduinformatics. This perspective helps reconstruct the cycle linking hypotheses and data by leveraging the generative power inherent in contradiction.