Difference between revisions of "Hierarchy of evidence"
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The [[hierarchy of evidence]] is a ranking of different types of [[evidence]], to be used as a guideline for determining which evidence should be considered more credible when more than one type is available. | The [[hierarchy of evidence]] is a ranking of different types of [[evidence]], to be used as a guideline for determining which evidence should be considered more credible when more than one type is available. | ||
| − | The following list is a first pass, and should not be considered complete, definitive, or certain: | + | The following list is a first pass, and should not be considered complete, definitive, or certain – from most to least reliable: |
| + | # demonstrably sound reasoning from agreed-upon facts (see [[rationality detection]]) | ||
| + | # repeatedly verified hypothesis | ||
| + | # verified [[hypothesis]] | ||
| + | # physical evidence | ||
| + | # circumstantial evidence | ||
| + | # experience ([[argument from authority]]) | ||
| + | # intuition | ||
# hearsay | # hearsay | ||
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| − | Evidence | + | Evidence higher on the list (lower numbers) generally trumps evidence lower on the list (higher numbers). |
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| + | Each type of evidence may have a range of reliability, and it's entirely possible that more-reliable varieties of a given evidence-type should trump less-reliable varieties of a normally more-reliable evidence-type – e.g. the opinion of a professional with years of experience in a given field would normally trump circumstantial evidence that is not overwhelming, ''unless'' there is reason to suspect that the professional is biased. | ||
Revision as of 22:15, 20 June 2015
About
The hierarchy of evidence is a ranking of different types of evidence, to be used as a guideline for determining which evidence should be considered more credible when more than one type is available.
The following list is a first pass, and should not be considered complete, definitive, or certain – from most to least reliable:
- demonstrably sound reasoning from agreed-upon facts (see rationality detection)
- repeatedly verified hypothesis
- verified hypothesis
- physical evidence
- circumstantial evidence
- experience (argument from authority)
- intuition
- hearsay
Evidence higher on the list (lower numbers) generally trumps evidence lower on the list (higher numbers).
Each type of evidence may have a range of reliability, and it's entirely possible that more-reliable varieties of a given evidence-type should trump less-reliable varieties of a normally more-reliable evidence-type – e.g. the opinion of a professional with years of experience in a given field would normally trump circumstantial evidence that is not overwhelming, unless there is reason to suspect that the professional is biased.