Distributionsmening

Distributionsmening is a proposed interdisciplinary concept that concerns the study and communication of probability distributions as they appear in data analysis, statistics, and information theory. The term is not widely established in formal literature, but some scholars use it to describe how distributions are interpreted, presented, and applied in decision-making contexts.

Etymology and usage: The word appears to be a neologism formed from distribution and a suffix related to meaning, reflecting an emphasis on interpretation. In practice, proponents describe distributionsmening as the practice of ensuring that the chosen distribution model, its parameters, and its implications are conveyed clearly to stakeholders, not merely computed.

Scope and methods: Distributionsmening encompasses mathematical aspects of distributions (families, estimation, uncertainty quantification) and the communication aspect (visualization, labeling, risk framing). It draws on probability theory, statistics, information theory, and ethics of data presentation, aiming to improve transparency and reproducibility in analyses.

Applications and status: Potential domains include finance, epidemiology, policy analysis, and quality control. As of now, distributionsmening is an emergent term without a fixed definition in major journals, varying in interpretation across communities. Critics argue for clear terminology, while supporters see value in a shared framework for conveying distributional results.