Full Idea
The fact that something fits the 'covering law' model of explanation is no guarantee that it is an explanation, for that depends on what other explanations are there to be found.
Gist of Idea
'Covering law' explanations only work if no other explanations are to be found
Source
Alexander Bird (Philosophy of Science [1998], Ch.2)
Book Reference
Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.73
A Reaction
He gives Achinstein's example of a poisoned man who is run over by a bus. It has to be a basic requirement of explanations that they are the 'best', and not just something that fits a formula.