What does "weight of evidence" refer to?

The term "weight of evidence" refers to the relative value of the totality of evidence presented in a given context, such as legal or scientific evaluations. This concept emphasizes that it is not just the quality or quantity of individual pieces of evidence that matter, but rather how the entirety of the evidence contributes to establishing a particular conclusion or understanding.

In legal settings, for instance, the weight of evidence can influence the outcome of a case by demonstrating how various facts, testimonies, and documentation support or contradict each other. This is crucial because it recognizes that some pieces of evidence may carry more significance than others, and the cumulative effect of all evidence must be considered to assess credibility and support claims effectively.