Perusarvo

Perusarvo is a Finnish term meaning base value or reference value. It designates a value that functions as a starting point, baseline, or standard against which other values are compared, calculated, or interpreted. The concept is used across disciplines to anchor measurements, models, or observations.

In statistics and data analysis, the perusarvo of a series is the baseline against which changes are measured, such as the initial observation before an intervention or a long-term average that defines deviations from normality.

In engineering and metrology, perusarvo refers to a reference value used in calibration and quality control, helping ensure measurements are consistent and traceable.

In medicine and laboratory testing, the term is sometimes used to denote a patient’s typical or expected level, especially in longitudinal monitoring. More commonly, viitearvo or viitearvot is used to describe population reference ranges, while perusarvo may describe an individual baseline.

In computing and software, perusarvo can describe a default or initial value assigned to a parameter, variable, or configuration before user changes.

Etymology: derived from perus- meaning "base" and arvo meaning "value." In Finnish usage, it is related to, but distinct from, viitearvo (reference value) and kynnysarvo (threshold value).

See also: baseline, reference value, calibration, diagnostic reference range, default value.