Anecdotal Evidence

Definition

Anecdotal evidence refers to personal stories or individual accounts that are used as evidence to support a claim. This type of evidence is based on individual experiences rather than on systematic and controlled studies.

Analogy

Anecdotal evidence is like relying on one person's opinion about a movie without considering the opinions of many others or watching the movie yourself.

Related terms

Confirmation Bias: Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms our preexisting beliefs.

Hasty Generalization: Hasty generalization occurs when a conclusion is drawn from insufficient examples or data, leading to an unreliable generalization.

Scientific Evidence: Scientific evidence refers to evidence obtained through rigorous scientific methods such as experiments, observations, and statistical analysis. It provides reliable and objective support for claims.