Tooth Fairy Science

“Tooth Fairy science” is an expression coined by Harriet Hall, M.D and has been adopted as a metaphor for studies that investigate what is unverifiable and has not been actually shown to exist:

Tooth Fairy scientists mistakenly think that if they have collected data that is consistent with their hypothesis, then they have collected data that confirms their hypothesis.

Harriet Hall explained it as:

You could measure how much money the Tooth Fairy leaves under the pillow, whether she leaves more cash for the first or last tooth, whether the payoff is greater if you leave the tooth in a plastic baggie versus wrapped in Kleenex. You can get all kinds of good data that is reproducible and statistically significant. Yes, you have learned something. But you haven’t learned what you think you’ve learned, because you haven’t bothered to establish whether the Tooth Fairy really exists.

Typical examples of Tooth Fairy science are found in studies on alternative therapies such as applied kinesiology, reflexology and acupuncture which rely on explanations for their mechanisms on things like energy flow, vital energy, chi and meridians. In studies on these modalities, it is assumed that these phenomenon exist, when no evidence shows that they do.

“When the studies show that prayer doesn’t heal or that applied kinesiology or dowsing doesn’t work under controlled conditions do their advocates reject a belief in spirits or energies? No. They know their fairies exist. That’s their story and they’re sticking to it no matter what the evidence. They have tons of anecdotal evidence that outweighs any scientific studies that don’t confirm their beliefs. Tooth Fairy science is a magnet for those who believe that the plural of anecdotes is scientific data.” Source

External Links:
Skepdic on Tooth Fairy Science | Dr. Harriet Hall explains Tooth Fairy Science | Tooth Fairy Science and Other Pitfalls

Related Topics:
Pseudoscience | Anecdotes