anecdotal evidence

Evidence based on the occurrence of single unique event (e.g., a case report of an unusual medical finding or response to a therapy).

Anecdotes are extremely weak support of a theory; even if the event itself has been verified, its occurrence may be inappropriately attributed to an unusual therapy, and other unrecognised factors (confounders) may have invalidated the initial prediction of demise. Multiple similar anecdotes do not significantly increase support and at best serve justify a scientific experiment to empirically test the theory.

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References in periodicals archive

A Bank of Ireland spokeswoman said anecdotal evidence suggested that British savers were moving cash to the bank to take advantage of the guarantee.

Savings on the move in search for safe haven

I urge all nurses who want to help their compatriots to take part, so we have hard evidence to back up our anecdotal evidence," Walker said.

Research project into experiences of migrant nurses launched

Anecdotal evidence suggests that traditional treatment does not fully restore hearing.

Multiple angiomas of the external auditory canal in a patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome

There is overwhelming research and anecdotal evidence suggesting that traditional letter writing has significantly dwindled due to the increase use of email, online chats, telephone, and other electronic communication devices.

Making the Case for Formalizing the Lingo and Acronyms of Virtual Environments Communication to Meet Global Demands

Quality commercial masks are not always accessible, but anecdotal evidence has showed that handmade masks of cotton gauze were protective in military barracks and in healthcare workers during the Manchurian epidemic (6, 7).

Simple respiratory mask

Robert Epstein ["Is Gay a Choice?" March 14] is misusing "science" to support ex-gay propaganda, just as Christians are misusing "intelligent design." Anecdotal evidence of "selfoproclaimed ex-gays" doesn't prove his claim that some gays can switch.

Pro (and con) choice

Anecdotal evidence from sports skills also indicates a tendency to undershoot targets.

Short of the goal?

But based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence, I believe that, while more students may be going back home, the absolute numbers are not large enough to be concerned about.

Keeping U.S. leadership in engineering: one key is training students to think globally

A Langbaurgh PPI spokeswoman said: "The Out of Hours service, the service you contact when you need to see a GP urgently between 6pm and 8am, is repeatedly raised at forum meetings and members are aware of anecdotal evidence that the service is failing patients.

Do you rate out-of-hours care?

There is anecdotal evidence that the use of these processes may vary from region to region and industry to industry.

TEI testifies before the IRS Oversight Board on customer service needs of taxpayers: February 8, 2006

To date, only anecdotal evidence of such an HIV cure have been found in sub-Saharan Africa and in two patients who shook off the virus in the 1980s.

British man "cured" of AIDS?

Please e-mail any anecdotal evidence, issues and/or questions you have regarding this program to taxletter@aicpa.org, so your concerns may be addressed with government personnel at that conference.

Is the IRS EPCRS SCP working for you?