Videnskabelig

Videnskabelig is a Danish adjective meaning "scientific" or "relating to science." It is used to describe theories, methods, research, and institutions that are grounded in systematic inquiry and empirical evidence. The adverbial form of the word is videnskabeligt, as in statements described as proven videnskabeligt or demonstrated videnskabeligt. The noun corresponding to the concept is videnskab, meaning science or knowledge.

In Danish, videnskabelig is commonly paired with phrases such as videnskabelig metode (the scientific method), videnskabelig forskning (scientific research), and videnskabelig konsensus (scientific consensus). The term signals a conexão to empirical investigation, reproducibility, and objectivity, though it does not by itself guarantee truth; claims must still be evaluated on the quality of evidence and the rigor of the methodology.

Origin and related terms: videnskab means science or knowledge, and the word videnskabelig is formed with a standard Danish adjectival suffix to convey "pertaining to science." The concept has cognates in nearby languages, including Norwegian vitenskapelig and Swedish vetenskaplig.

Usage context: The term appears across academia, media, and policy discussions when distinguishing evidence-based conclusions from speculation or non-scientific reasoning. It is also used in critiques of research quality, where a claim is described as not yet videnskabelig sufficient or not supported by robust data.

See also: videnskab, videnskabelig metode, forskning, konsensus.