Caveats

Caveats are warnings or provisos that accompany statements, analyses, or actions to indicate limitations, uncertainties, or conditions under which the information is valid. The term originates from the Latin caveat, 'let him beware,' and is used in English in the plural form caveats to refer to multiple such cautions.

In scholarly writing and scientific reporting, caveats signal methodological weaknesses, small sample sizes, measurement error, potential confounding factors, or limits to generalizability. They help readers assess reliability and applicability.

In legal, regulatory, or policy contexts, caveats appear as qualifiers, disclaimers, or conditions that limit liability or specify operational boundaries. They may pertain to compliance, scope, timing, or exemptions.

In technology and data, caveats warn about software versions, data quality, or assumptions behind models and forecasts; they remind users that results may change with new data or settings.

Overall, caveats are a standard tool for transparency and caution; they do not negate findings but frame them within uncertainties and conditions.