I'm trying to remember the word that researchers you to describe statements that are gut-feeling, as opposed to statements backed up with actual quantitative data.
user
One word that researchers use to describe statements that are "gut feeling" versus statements backed up with actual quantitative data could be "anecdotal". Anecdotal is something that is not necessarily true or reliable, because it is based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.
assistant
Please use "anecdotal" in a sentence, related to research.
user
An example of "anecdotal" in a sentence could be : 
'The research describes the phenomena through anecdotal evidence than rigorous fact.'
assistant
Write a history in which the word "anecdotal" appears
user