Choosing more unreasonable explanations for phenomena over more defensible ones. In judging the validity of hypotheses or conclusions from observation, the scientific method relies upon the Principle of Parsimony , also known as Occam’s Razor , which states, all things being equal, the simplest explanation of a phenomenon that requires the fewest assumptions is the preferred explanation until it can be disproved.
Examples:
- Here is why I think my date never showed up: her father had a heart-attack, and she had to rush him to the hospital. In her state of panic, she forgot her cell phone and while at the hospital she was too concerned about her dad to worry about...