Please tell your father "Thank You" for his insight! I found his knowledge to be delightful!
For those who want to read more details on inductive vs. deductive research, here is an interesting powerpoint found online: http://www.drburney.net/INDUCTIVE%20&%20DEDUCTIVE%20RESEARCH%20APPROACH%2006032008.pdf
Thanks for the update! I applied to the U of Penn as well. Did anyone request the fee waiver? My file is complete, yet is it saying incomplete because the fee has not been paid. I sent in the waiver to the department. Anyone else having this problem?