Illustrative, not supportive

Explore how anecdotal evidence can mislead rather than increase confidence in a hypothesis. Learn more inside.

Written byRazib Khan
| 1 min read
Google NewsGoogle News Preferred Source

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

Sign Up

I hear & read the term "anecdotal evidence" a great deal. But wouldn't it be better to say "anecdotal illustration"? After all, most of the time a few anecdotes do nothing to increase confidence in a hypothesis, rather, they illustrate possible instances assuming that the hypothesis is true.

Meet the Author

Stay Curious

JoinOur List

Sign up for our weekly science updates

View our Privacy Policy

SubscribeTo The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Subscribe