2006-08-24 15:10:00 · 5 answers · asked by victoriaelaine2004 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I use anecdotal evidence all the time, in casual conversation. It's not good to use such evidence outside of that context, though. For a research paper, or a formal debate, say, you need to have better data. For example, I've heard many times that weird things happen during the Full Moon, such as ER workers saying there are more weird injuries, or police officers saying there are more crazy people out on the streets. That's anecdotal evidence. But when researchers go out to gather data - how many more crazy people, etc., they actually find that weird things don't happen more often during a Full Moon than during any other time.
Anecdotal evidence can be wrong, or misinterpreted. So it shouldn't be used for anything serious.
2006-08-24 15:18:34 · answer #1 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well in school when writing persuasive essays that was considered as evidence but I dont actually agree with that cuz I always made up my anecdotes. So no, anecdotes are not true fact cuz they can me made up or exaggerated.
2006-08-24 22:15:00 · answer #2 · answered by MellyMel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes anecdotal evidence is the only evidence available.
2006-08-24 22:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by Bethany 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be the only evidence available or the only way to communicate their concepts to the other person.
2006-08-24 22:15:22 · answer #4 · answered by The Apple Chick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, especially if all you need is one instance of something happening to prove that it can happen, like that it's possible for a man to be a pig. But it doesn't work if you're trying to make generalities, like men are pigs.
2006-08-24 22:38:31 · answer #5 · answered by Eugena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋