verification
vair-uh-fih-KAY-shun
/ˌvɛr.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The process of establishing the truth, accuracy, or validity of a scientific hypothesis or statement through empirical evidence.
Focuses on providing positive confirming data to show that an idea matches observed reality.
The story behind the word. From Medieval Latin 'verificatio', combining Latin 'verus' (true) and '-ficare' (from 'facere', to make or do). To perform verification literally means 'making true'—or rather, demonstrating that a claim aligns with physical reality.
Word relationships
- confirmation: Confirmation strengthens confidence in a claim, while verification implies establishing firm, decisive truth.
- corroboration: Corroboration means supporting an existing claim with additional supporting evidence.
- falsification: Falsification is the act of disproving a proposition through contrary evidence.
- refutation: Refutation proves a statement or argument to be false.
Commonly confused with
- validation: Validation checks if a process or tool meets logical standards, whereas verification checks whether a statement matches observed empirical facts.
Word family
- verify (verb): To confirm the truth or accuracy of something.
- verifiable (adjective): Able to be checked and confirmed as true.
- verifier (noun): One who or that which verifies.
Collocations
- empirical verification
- independent verification
- experimental verification
- verification process
Example sentences
- "The discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN provided conclusive experimental verification of the Standard Model of physics." Experimental science
- "The verification principle of meaning asserted that an unverifiable statement lacks cognitive sense." Philosophy of language
Memory hook
VERIFICATION brings VERY TRUE facts to verify your scientific claims. Establishing truth through positive empirical proof.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'falsification', which focuses on attempting to disprove a theory.
Fun facts
- In software engineering, 'verification' answers the question 'Are we building the product right?' while 'validation' answers 'Are we building the right product?'
Related words
Explore more words
verify, verifiable, empirical, empiricism, substantiate, validate
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