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What does anecdotal evidence look like?

Published in Evidence 2 mins read

Anecdotal evidence is like a story told by a person about their own experience. It's not based on scientific research or data, but rather on personal observations and opinions.

Here are some examples of what anecdotal evidence looks like:

  • "My grandmother lived to be 90 years old, and she always ate a lot of chocolate. So chocolate must be good for you!" This statement is based on a single person's experience and doesn't account for other factors that might have contributed to the grandmother's longevity.
  • "I tried this new diet, and I lost 10 pounds in a week! It works!" This statement is based on a single person's experience and doesn't consider individual differences or potential side effects.
  • "My friend's dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, so all dogs must be afraid of vacuum cleaners." This statement generalizes from a single instance and doesn't take into account the diverse personalities and experiences of dogs.

Anecdotal evidence can be interesting and informative, but it's important to remember that it's not a reliable source of information. It can be biased, subjective, and not representative of the general population.

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