Examples of Observational Selection

The advocate pays close attention to confirming evidence, but ignores evidence which is contrary to his or her position.

• An anecdote about dowsers being double-blind to their special pleading
• A and B are in "success"... if you misspell it
• Do you feel lucky punk?
• A Photon in the Darkness: How to Seek and Not Find
• TV Advocacy of acupuncture
• Robert Fisk - Selective Observer
• Junk history
• Obvious advocacy means meaningless statistics
• Michael Moore kindly provides an example of observational selection

For a comprehensive and considered written commentary on Observational Selection (and other fallacies) - see The skeptic's field guide to spotting fallacies in thinking - Humbug!

Internal Tag: Observational Selection