A theory may be so rich in descriptive possibilities that…
“A theory may be so rich in descriptive possibilities that it can be made to fit any data.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A theory can be so flexible it fits any data, warning against over‑fitting.
In simple terms: Theory can be overly flexible.
Guard against overly mal explanations.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research design
- data analysis
- academic writing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How to test theory robustness?
- When does flexibility become a flaw?
Over‑flexibility can undermine scientific rigor.