Resist arguing by anecdote - generalizing from a few examples to everyone. One dishonest student does not mean that all students will cheat on an exam. Consider Other Interpretations Formulate hypotheses that offer explanations of the topic. The goal is to arrive at a theory which is a system of principles that tries to explain the phenomena and their interrelationships. Be careful not to shut out alternative explanations too soon.
Many questions have no easy answers.
We have to be willing to be uncertain when new evidence questions our conclusions. Replication is important before firm conclusions can be drawn. Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.