Claiming that unexpected trends that occur through random chance alone in a data set with a large number of variables are meaningful. In inductive arguments, there is always a chance that the conclusion might be false, despite the truth of the premises.
Examples:
- _100 independent studies were conducted comparing brain tumor rates of those who use cell phones to those who don’t.
90 of the tests showed no significant difference in the rates.
5 of the tests showed that cell phone users were more than twice as..._
Synonyms: multiple comparisons, multiplicity, multiple testing problem, the look-elsewhere effect