sannprófun

Sannprófun is an Icelandic noun that denotes the act or process of establishing the truth of a claim through examination, testing, or verification. It is commonly translated as verification or validation and can refer to both practical testing and theoretical assessment. The word is formed from sann- meaning true and prófa meaning to test or prove, reflecting its focus on determining whether something is trustworthy or supported by evidence.

In science, philosophy, and everyday discourse, sannprófun describes efforts to gather and evaluate evidence, conduct experiments, and assess results in order to determine whether a proposition is warranted. In journalism and law, the term is used for the verification of facts, claims, or the authenticity of documents and sources. In information technology, it can appear in discussions of authentication, data integrity, and the verification of digital information, though more specialized terms may also be used in those subfields.

It is important to distinguish sannprófun from mathematical proof. While proof in mathematics provides deductive certainty, sannprófun typically signifies empirical support or persuasive validation based on available evidence and methods. The concept underscores rigorous scrutiny and replicable assessment as means to approach truth in various domains. See also: evidence, proof, verification, validation.