Which of the following is NOT a key component of scientific inquiry?

Relying only on anecdotal evidence is not a key component of scientific inquiry because scientific methods prioritize empirical evidence and systematic investigation over personal stories or isolated experiences. Scientific inquiry is built on the foundation of observation, experimentation, and data collection, which provide verifiable results that can be replicated by others. This ensures that findings are not biased or based on individual perceptions, but rather grounded in objective and measurable phenomena. Therefore, while anecdotal evidence can offer initial insights or ideas for exploration, it does not constitute reliable scientific evidence and is not used to draw conclusions in the scientific process.