Nondispositive

Nondispositive is an adjective used to describe findings, arguments, or conclusions that are not decisive or conclusive for a given proposition. The term signals that the material in question does not by itself establish a verdict or belief and that additional evidence or analysis is typically required. It is commonly used in medicine, law, philosophy, and statistics to characterize results or statements that are insufficient to determine an outcome.

In clinical research, nondispositive results may mean that a study did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect or did not meet predefined endpoints, leaving uncertainty about efficacy or safety. In legal and administrative contexts, a nondispositive ruling or order addresses non-substantive issues or does not dispose of the merits; such orders guide procedures but do not decide the case's outcome.

In philosophy and argumentation, nondispositive evidence contributes to an analysis but does not settle the truth of a claim on its own. The term is often used interchangeably with non-dispositive, though some editors prefer hyphenated forms.

See also: inconclusive, neutral evidence, statistical significance, dispositive.