Unmeasured

Unmeasured is an English adjective meaning not measured or not quantified. It can describe quantities, distances, times, or attributes that have not been determined, recorded, or observed. In everyday use, it often signals that data are missing, uncertain, or subject to estimation.

In statistics and scientific research, the phrase unmeasured or unmeasured variables is common. Unmeasured variables are factors that influence outcomes but were not observed or included in a model. Their presence can bias results; researchers address this through study design, sensitivity analyses, or methods such as instrumental variables to mitigate potential confounding.

Data collection and instrumentation limits can render measurements unmeasured. Practical constraints—such as cost, accessibility, or sensor sensitivity—may leave some attributes unspecified. Depending on context, unmeasured data can be treated as missing data, with methods chosen to handle potential bias.

In music and literature, unmeasured describes forms where rhythm, time, or meter is not fixed. In music, unmeasured or free rhythm pieces allow flexible tempo; in verse, unmeasured or irregularly metered lines do not conform to a regular metrical pattern. The term is used descriptively rather than as a formal designation in many fields.

See also missing data, latent variable, measurement error, confounding, and unquantified factors.