OSINT Glossary

Content reviewed 16 October 2026 · Universal OSINT · Read as Markdown

A short vocabulary for reading public information critically. These plain-language definitions are starting points, not legal or technical standards.

A source supplies information; analysis explains what it supports and what remains uncertain.

Sources and records

OSINT: Knowledge produced by evaluating publicly available information to answer a question.
Primary source: An original record or direct account relevant to the question; not automatically accurate.
Secondary source: A work that interprets, summarizes, or discusses other sources.
Provenance: The origin and documented history of information.
Metadata: Information describing data, such as definitions, units, dates, and methods.
Reference period: The time an observation describes, which may differ from its publication date.
Version: A particular release of a record or dataset, identifiable for later checking.

Claim: A statement that can be examined against evidence.
Evidence: Information relevant to supporting or challenging a particular claim.
Verification: Checking authenticity, context, and whether information supports a conclusion.
Corroboration: Additional support from evidence; repeated copies are not independent confirmation.
Inference: A conclusion drawn from evidence rather than directly observed.
Uncertainty: Limits to what is known, measured, or reasonably concluded.
Bias: A systematic influence on collection, selection, interpretation, or presentation.
Correlation: An association between variables; it does not by itself establish causation.
Reproducibility: The ability to repeat an analysis using its documented data and method.

Indicator: A defined measure used to describe an aspect of a topic.
Denominator: The base quantity a fraction, percentage, or rate is calculated against.
Percentage point: The difference between percentage values: 20% to 25% is five points.
Missing value: An unavailable observation, not necessarily zero or not applicable.
Estimate: An approximate value derived from available evidence and a method.
Aggregate: A combined summary that can conceal differences within a population.
Time series: Observations over time; comparison requires attention to changing methods.

Open data: Data available under conditions permitting use, modification, and sharing.
Open license: Permission to reuse a work under stated conditions.
Attribution: Credit identifying a source or creator, as required by the relevant terms.
Public domain: Material not restricted by copyright or similar rights; other rights may still apply.
Data minimization: Limiting collection and retention to what a legitimate purpose requires.

For formal methods and terms, consult the UN SDG metadata and Open Definition. Definitions here are our educational summaries.