Discuss how anecdotal evidence for the effectiveness of a weight-loss supplement differs from scientific evidence of the effectiveness of a weight-loss supplement. Which source of evidence would you trust more and why?

Answer 1

Anecdotal evidence comes in the form of patient testimonies as to how well the product works. There may only be testimonies from a few people who make the product sound wonderful. There is often a disclaimer that says that the results are not typical in small print. There is usually no cited study from a credible research center. This type of anecdotal evidence would be seen on TV or would be published in a popular magazine as a story.
Scientific evidence would actually describe a study that is done at an accredited research or clinical center. There would be results from a large number of people and the study would employ the suitable controls such as a group of patients who get the weight-loss supplement versus patients who get a placebo. The results of this study would be reviewed by and then published in a journal that is read by experts in the fields of nutrition and medicine.
Most people would trust information from a well-designed and published scientific study, since large numbers of people have participated in the study and the results are more easily repeatable by other researchers.