The scientific method starts with a hypothesis and then tests the validity of deductions made either theoretically or experimentally. Most omics studies are exploratory. The induction of universal models based on observation is not valid. Alternatively, data mining methods can be used to create predictive models and to elucidate the importance of variables in a system. Reproduced from ref. 3 [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00195] under the terms of a CC BY 4.0 license [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/].