Which reasoning combines elements of both deductive and inductive logic?

Abductive reasoning combines elements of both deductive and inductive logic by aiming to find the best explanation for a set of observations or facts. In abduction, one starts with a set of premises or observations and seeks to identify the simplest and most likely cause or explanation that could lead to those observations. This process often involves making educated guesses based on incomplete information, much like inductive reasoning, which draws general conclusions from specific instances.

At the same time, abduction retains deductive elements by requiring the conclusions drawn to logically align with the premises available. Thus, it stands out as a distinctive method that synthesizes these two forms of reasoning. In contrast, the other options do not encapsulate this dual approach, as they either focus solely on drawing specific conclusions from general principles or vice versa, or do not fit the framework of logical reasoning typically seen in the study of reasoning techniques.