Parsimony, often used in scientific investigation, suggests that the simplest and most straightforward explanation should be considered before moving on to more complex or abstract interpretations. It helps in avoiding unnecessary complications and ensures that explanations are grounded in the most basic and logical terms.
Example
A teacher notices that a student is falling asleep in class. Before concluding that the student has a serious sleep disorder, the teacher first checks for simpler explanations, such as whether the student stayed up late the previous night or is feeling bored. The principle of parsimony guides the teacher to explore these basic, likely explanations before considering more complex causes.