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- Oct 15, 2017
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Anecdotal evidence is evidence collected in a casual or informal manner and relying heavily or entirely on personal testimony. Example: "I am going to buy this car because Jane has one and she says it's the most reliable car she has ever owned."
Empirical evidence relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system, theory, or science. Example: Wood frame houses are built with 2x4s at 16" on center. They can be built with 2x4s at 24" on center (saving money on structure), but people still build them at 16" on center "because that's the way it was done before, and they didn't fall down".
Scientific evidence is conducted in the manner of science or according to results of investigation by science : practicing or using thorough or systematic methods. Example: In the 17th century, Galileo Galilee theorized that light traveled at a finite speed, but was unable to measure it. What a surprise, he used two guys holding lanterns a set (albeit long) distance apart. It wasn't until 1983 that the recognized speed of light was accurately measured with a proper, repeatable, scientific method in a vacuum, and adopted by scientists all over the world. That's 299,792,458 meters per second, by the way.
Why the lecture on evidence, you may ask?
It's because we here at SAF sometimes get into the trick bag of reporting Anecdotal Evidence that something is bound to happen to JoeCandidate or JaneCandidate, because our very own beloved DS or DD had the same thing happen, and it turned out okay! So don't worry, everything will be fine!
Yes. I have done it. More than once. Sorry about that!
The truth is, every application and every candidate is different. Every time they go to a DoDMERB physical, it is different. Every time that the Academy reviews their application, it's different. Every time that they land in hot water while at the Academy, it's different. Every time they have color-blindness, it's different. Every time there's a new person in charge (of Admissions, the Academy, DoDMERB, etc.) they are different. You can usually expect that their policies, procedures, and regulations will be different, too.
One thing is always constant in the military, and that is change. Change is necessary to overcome and adapt to changing times and policies. Change isn't always good, but you can always count on it happening.
There. I feel better.
Empirical evidence relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system, theory, or science. Example: Wood frame houses are built with 2x4s at 16" on center. They can be built with 2x4s at 24" on center (saving money on structure), but people still build them at 16" on center "because that's the way it was done before, and they didn't fall down".
Scientific evidence is conducted in the manner of science or according to results of investigation by science : practicing or using thorough or systematic methods. Example: In the 17th century, Galileo Galilee theorized that light traveled at a finite speed, but was unable to measure it. What a surprise, he used two guys holding lanterns a set (albeit long) distance apart. It wasn't until 1983 that the recognized speed of light was accurately measured with a proper, repeatable, scientific method in a vacuum, and adopted by scientists all over the world. That's 299,792,458 meters per second, by the way.
Why the lecture on evidence, you may ask?
It's because we here at SAF sometimes get into the trick bag of reporting Anecdotal Evidence that something is bound to happen to JoeCandidate or JaneCandidate, because our very own beloved DS or DD had the same thing happen, and it turned out okay! So don't worry, everything will be fine!
Yes. I have done it. More than once. Sorry about that!
The truth is, every application and every candidate is different. Every time they go to a DoDMERB physical, it is different. Every time that the Academy reviews their application, it's different. Every time that they land in hot water while at the Academy, it's different. Every time they have color-blindness, it's different. Every time there's a new person in charge (of Admissions, the Academy, DoDMERB, etc.) they are different. You can usually expect that their policies, procedures, and regulations will be different, too.
One thing is always constant in the military, and that is change. Change is necessary to overcome and adapt to changing times and policies. Change isn't always good, but you can always count on it happening.
There. I feel better.
