Which are more valuable? Real-life anecdotes or statistical studies?

[Defiant47]

When you seek to form your opinion about a subject, which has the greater pull on you?

A) Anecdotal evidence from your experiences and/or from the experiences of people around you
or
B) Statistical studies analyzing the issue using modern-day statistical methods with significant and conclusive* results (and unbiased funding of course)

* - If the statistical study is inconclusive, then you don't get anything out of it; or rather, shouldn't


For example, suppose there is a medical procedure, say vaccination**. You've heard a couple of stories from your families, as well as various stories from your friends, that vaccination does bad things to your children. They say how their children got vaccinated, and later ended up having all of these problems or complications. However, statistical studies show conclusively that there is no link between any of those problems and the vaccinations. But your afflicted friends and family members know better - they actually have to deal with these issues, and no study can just magically say that everything is better. Which do you trust?

Do you trust your close ones and their anecdotes, or do you trust the statistical studies?

** - This is an example. Please discuss the original question. I don't want the thread to devolve into a discussion about vaccination, when it was meant as a throw-away example.

 

[Earthling]

And well it shouldn't, the vaccination conspiracy is a sham story while things like Morgellons disease are the real pathological threats.

 

[Tacitusitis]

Does this poll count as statistics or an anecdote.

Is what went through my brain.

 

[bombshoo]

I will always use anecdotal experience more, but statistics are probably generally more useful. Just a standard human flaw I suppose.

 

[Xanikk999]

I can't imagine any person could come here with a straight face and say that anecdotal evidence is more reliable or valuable.

We use anecdotes all the time on a daily basis when forming judgments on day to day events. For anything serious or scientific however as described by the OP I would most certainly trust a independent study before someones warped perceptions.

 

[Dachs]

Depends on the subject.

 

[Whiskey_Lord]

Anecdotes. Because my life experience defines reality. The Earth doesn't revolve around the sun; it revolves around me. My opinion can't possibly be wrong.

 

[Tacitusitis]

The key finding of this poll is that people are statistically likely to overstate their reliance on statistics and understate their reliance on anecdotes especially in a public forum.

You are all Shy Tories.

 

[Integral]

My first reaction is, of course, statistical studies. But one must factor in that a good 90% of published empirical work is incorrect...

I mean, that doesn't matter if we're talking about something nice and mainstream. But it does matter on the margin, at the cutting edge of research.

 

[Defiant47]

The key finding of this poll is that people are statistically likely to overstate their reliance on statistics and understate their reliance on anecdotes especially in a public forum.

Those are my thoughts as well.

My first reaction is, of course, statistical studies. But one must factor in that a good 90% of published work is incorrect...

Yeah, I'm going to need to see a statistical analysis and proof of that

 

[Perfection]

Depends on if the study is crap or not.

 

[Integral]

Yeah, I'm going to need to see a statistical analysis and proof of that

Sadly enough I have a cite for this, albeit pertaining to the medical field than all empirical fields. Let me see if I can dig it up...

edit: Marginal Revolution, which links through to the original article, and indeed it is in reference to medicine. Though I admittedly have no idea if PLoS Medicine is a reputable journal or just crackpottery.

 

[shadowplay]

I was leaning toward saying anecdotal evidence until I read the example.

 

[Tee Kay]

For example, suppose there is a medical procedure, say vaccination**. You've heard a couple of stories from your families, as well as various stories from your friends, that vaccination does bad things to your children. They say how their children got vaccinated, and later ended up having all of these problems or complications. However, statistical studies show conclusively that there is no link between any of those problems and the vaccinations. But your afflicted friends and family members know better - they actually have to deal with these issues, and no study can just magically say that everything is better. Which do you trust?

Do you trust your close ones and their anecdotes, or do you trust the statistical studies?

Real fair and balanced example there.

It depends. I use both anecdotes and statistical studies. I don't feel one is inherently more useful than the other.

 

[Arwon]

Good statistics and other sources of information inform and clarify each other.

 

[amadeus]

Statistical studies but a good anecdote will do when no good studies exist.

 

[Camikaze]

Depends on the topic at hand. I can't use statistical studies that I don't know of, so I generally find anecdotal evidence more important. A good study though should always trump that.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Crap, didn't read the OP before I voted

When you seek to form your opinion about a subject, which has the greater pull on you?

Personal Anecdotes almost each and every time. Ironically, not for the example given.

I voted Statistics because that has more value as data to base decisions on.

 

[carlosMM]

I votes statistical analysis, but that needs a qualifier.

Firstly, it depends on what we are talking about. Decision making? Studies, for sure. But anecdotes can teach me many things, too.

Secondly, statistics can be wrong. I therefore want to understand how their results came to be, and anecdotes can be a good source of information. If, e.g., anecdotes pile up like crazy saying a study is wrong, then that's a hint to have a close look at the methods of the study.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

I'd be a terrible scientist if I didn't use the latter.