# OSINT Glossary

> Universal OSINT. Content reviewed 2026-10-16.
> Canonical page: https://universalosint.org/glossary/

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](https://universalosint.org/glossary/#sources)[Reasoning](https://universalosint.org/glossary/#reasoning)[Data](https://universalosint.org/glossary/#data)[Rights](https://universalosint.org/glossary/#rights)

## 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.

## Evidence and reasoning

**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.

## Reading numbers

**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.

## Access and responsibility

**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.

## Read in context

For formal methods and terms, consult the [UN SDG metadata](https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/) and [Open Definition](https://opendefinition.org/od/2.1/en/). Definitions here are our educational summaries.

## Put the words to work

Use the [verification checklist](https://universalosint.org/verification/) or learn to [read public data](https://universalosint.org/understanding-data/).

Original educational text: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Third-party sources retain their own terms.