Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
anecdotalism
noun
/ˌæn.ɪkˈdoʊ.t̬əl.ɪ.zəm/
Definition
A method of reasoning or making conclusions based on anecdotal evidence rather than systematic research or scientific analysis.
Examples
- His argument relied heavily on anecdotalism, lacking any statistical support.
- While anecdotalism can provide insights, it isn’t sufficient for making broad generalizations.
- The research report criticized the use of anecdotalism in public health discussions.
Meaning
The practice of using personal stories or individual cases to illustrate a point, which may not be statistically valid.
Synonyms
- Heuristic evidence
- Personal testimony
- Testimonial evidence
