Standardantagandet

Standardantagandet is a term used in Swedish-language scholarly writing to refer to the default or baseline assumption that underpins a model, analysis, or argument. It identifies the conditions taken as given in order to make reasoning feasible and to allow comparison across studies.

Common forms of the standardantagandet appear across disciplines. In statistics and econometrics it often covers assumptions about randomness and independence in data, the absence of systematic measurement error, and the stability of relationships over time or across units. In experimental settings it may include random assignment and the absence of interference between units. In economics and social sciences, the idea is closely related to ceteris paribus, the notion that all other factors are held constant when evaluating a particular relationship.

The standardantagandet is typically stated explicitly and justified by researchers, who may also test its validity through robustness checks or sensitivity analyses. If evidence suggests the assumption is questionable, analysts may use alternative models, relax certain constraints, or apply nonparametric methods to assess how conclusions change.

Criticism centers on the risk of bias or overconfidence when conclusions rely on untested or unrealistic baseline assumptions. Critics emphasize transparency about the assumption, critical evaluation of its plausibility, and the routine use of robustness checks as safeguards against misleading inference.

See also: assumption, baseline assumption, ceteris paribus, sensitivity analysis, robustness.