Anecdotal evidence is evidence collected in an informal manner and relying heavily on personal experience 1 . There is a big difference between anecdotal evidence and scientific evidence. Scientific evidence is based on findings from systematic observations, measurement and experimentation and any person can independently verify or confirm it using the scientific method.
Anecdotal evidence proves based on personal experience and isolated examples whether this or that development or story is true or false. Since personal experience is the key basis for anecdotal evidence, unlike scientific evidence, it cannot be verified independently.
When people strongly believe that their opinions are true, they refer only to that information which further confirms their beliefs. It is called "predisposition” in the process of information searching.
We come across anecdotal evidence in our everyday life and any person we meet can be its source: a family member, neighbor, local shop cashier, hairdresser, taxi driver, etc.
The purpose of this research was to study the impact of disinformation and conspiracy theories on public perceptions and to analyze which anecdotal evidence is spread in the society regarding the West. The survey also aimed to study public attitudes towards some foreign policy issues.
Researchers:
Irakli Iagorashvili (Telavi), Nika Gurin (Kvareli), Giorgi Rizhvadze (Khulo), Giorgi Bolkvadze (Batumi), Lusine Pichikyan (Akhalkalaki), Nato Inasaridze (Akhaltsikhe), Mariam Topchishvili (Gori), Teona Babutsidze (Tserovani)
Questionnaire, methodology:
Tamar Kintsurashvili, Sopo Gelava
Editor:
Tamar Kintsurashvili
Link:Anecdotal Evidence Research