Mind & EverydayMental model
Shoot first, then paint the target around the holes.
The fallacy arises when you search data for patterns and only then form the hypothesis. A 1993 Swedish study tested over 800 conditions near power lines; one stood out. Later work found no link – with 800 tests, a chance hit is expected.
Useful: For any surprising finding, ask: how many things were tested in total?
Source: en.wikipedia.org