Remind me what 'anecdotal evidence' means.?

Question

What does 'anecdotal evidence' mean. You may want to look at this question and set me straight here as well: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070610221425AAxe3Kc&r=w#EpV_WDbuAjOvkcnhpHJOrxmcym3PkGoYeGojvPVyFxdNwVBy7fwV

Answer 1

Anecdotal evidence is an informal account of evidence in the form of an anecdote or hearsay. The term is often used in contrast to scientific evidence, such as evidence-based medicine, which are types of formal accounts. Anecdotal evidence is often unscientific because it cannot be investigated using the scientific method. Misuse of anecdotal evidence is a logical fallacy and is sometimes informally referred to as the "person who" fallacy ("I know a person who..."; "I know of a case where..." etc. Compare with hasty generalization). Anecdotal evidence is not necessarily typical; statistical evidence can more accurately determine how typical something is.

When used in advertising or promotion of a product, service, or idea, anecdotal evidence is often called a testimonial and is banned in some jurisdictions. The term is also sometimes used in a legal context to describe certain kinds of testimony. Psychologists have found that people are more likely to remember notable examples than typical examples[1].

Answer 2

Anecdotal evidence is evidence that is not obtained by rigidly controlled experiments. It is usually comprised of a number of anecdotes, or "stories", and sometimes lacks quantification. In the reference question all of the "evidence" is anecdotal. Only IV can be verified, yet it covers a geologically short period of time, so must also be considered anecdotal. Note that simply being anecdotal does not mean the evidence is invalid.

Answer 3

When John Wilkes Booth lept onto the stage after assassinating President Lincoln, breaking his leg. Legend in the theatre is that it originated from that incident. Why it has been associated with giving someone luck, has never been established. So maybe it means good luck in the sense that as a lead actor, maybe it's luck to have 6 weeks off recuperating (where the true luck is only to the understudy?). Best I can do.

Answer 4

This is testimony by people without external proof.