The curve that remembered too much

Choose a degree using validation data, lock the choice, then evaluate a fresh seeded test set.

Hypothesis and criterion

Name the expected effect, metric and what would count against the hypothesis.

Method and reproducibility

Record fixtures, source, version, parameters, units, controls and how cases are split.

Paired evidence

Case and split Baseline result Changed result Interpretation

Counterexample and revised design

On clean data generated by a higher-order curve, extra capacity can help; degree alone does not diagnose overfitting.

Record your new case and rerun the original cases after redesign.

Individual defence

Explain the mechanism, one exact result and what would overturn your conclusion.

Remaining uncertainty and handover

A synthetic quadratic favours particular hypotheses. Do not tune repeatedly on final tests.

Next test: _ . Project filename: _ . Work that is mine and tools I used: ____ .

Keep your work

Use fictional data. Download a resumable project before changing devices. On a shared device, turn remembering off and clear your work when finished.