Which approach is primarily based on evidence and observation in scientific inquiry?

Inductive reasoning is primarily based on evidence and observation. This approach involves gathering specific instances or observations and then formulating general principles or theories from them. In scientific inquiry, inductive reasoning allows researchers to build theories that can be tested through further observation and experimentation. By starting with specific data points and extrapolating broader conclusions, inductive reasoning helps in developing comprehensive understandings based on accumulated evidence.

In contrast, phenomenology is more about understanding experiences from the first-person perspective and may not rely heavily on empirical data. Deductive reasoning, on the other hand, starts with a general premise and tests it against specific cases, which is a different process of inquiry. Qualitative research focuses on understanding phenomena through non-numerical data and may not always utilize direct observational evidence as effectively as inductive reasoning does. Thus, inductive reasoning stands out as the approach that explicitly utilizes evidence and observation as foundational elements of scientific inquiry.