Sentence:  On the other hand , even when the binomial model does not describe well the physical phenomenon being studied , the binomial model may still be used as a baseline for comparative purposes ; that is , we may discuss the <WSD>phenomenon</WSD> in terms of its departures from the binomial model . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning