What is the difference between scholarly research and anecdotal evidence?

As an undergraduate student, how can I be equipped to utilize scholarly research over anecdotal evidence, when it seems that we are in the process of being taught the rudimentary skills that enable us to one day do scholarly research, but not yet.What is the difference between scholarly research and anecdotal evidence?
Scholarly research is based on science. It is hard fact.



Anecdotal evidence, on the other hand, is just that (i.e., a story).



Although anecdotal evidence may LEAD to scholarly research on the same topic, when it stands alone, the "but it really happened to me/someone I know so it MUST be true for most people" type of "evidence" has very little merit.



~Dr. B.~What is the difference between scholarly research and anecdotal evidence?
Anecdotal evidence amounts to casual observations, whereas scholarly research usually involves experimentation, quantification and in-depth statistical analysis.



An example of the former might include the simple observation that those who exercise routinely appear to be happier, however this alone is insufficient to merit a conclusion. A scholar would formulate a hypothesis, expectations, etc., and then proceed to select subjects and controls, control for confounders, quantitate "happiness" somehow, etc. etc.