Checkability

Checkability is the property of a statement or claim that makes it amenable to verification through evidence or observation. A checkable claim can be subjected to scrutiny by independent observers who can assess the available data, methods, or reasoning. Checkability emphasizes the availability of procedures, data, or criteria that would allow someone else to determine whether the claim is supported or refuted, rather than asserting its truth alone.

Checkability takes multiple forms. Observational checkability relies on empirical data or measurements. Experimental or analytical checkability depends on controlled testing, replication, or formal demonstrations that can be inspected. In mathematics and logic, logical checkability refers to deriving conclusions from premises via valid proofs. Reproducibility and replicability in science are related, involving the ability to obtain the same results using the same methods, datasets, or protocols.

Documentation and citation practices also contribute to checkability by making sources and evidence accessible. Checkability supports credible discourse by enabling independent verification and reducing reliance on authority or rhetoric. It is central to scientific inquiry, journalism, and public policy, where claims are expected to be supported by verifiable information. However, some statements may be difficult to check due to practical constraints, data availability, privacy, or proprietary information.

Checkability is related to, but distinct from, truth or falsifiability. A claim can be checkable without being true, and a claim can be true but hard to check. The aim is to provide clear criteria and transparent methods so others can evaluate the claim.