selvitettävyys

Selvitettävyys refers to the principle of verifiability or auditability. In various fields, it describes the ability to trace, investigate, and understand the origin, processing, and decision-making behind a particular outcome or piece of information. This concept is crucial for accountability, transparency, and the ability to identify and correct errors or misconduct.

In the context of information systems and data management, selvitettävyys ensures that data can be reconstructed and understood. This involves maintaining logs of all transactions, modifications, and access, along with timestamps and user identifications. Such audit trails are essential for security, compliance with regulations, and troubleshooting. For example, in financial systems, a high degree of selvitettävyys is necessary to track every transaction from its inception to its final reporting.

In legal and administrative contexts, selvitettävyys pertains to the clarity and traceability of decisions and processes. It means that a decision can be explained, justified, and that the underlying evidence and reasoning are accessible. This is fundamental to due process and the ability for individuals to challenge decisions made about them. For instance, in public administration, the selvitettävyys of a permit application process allows applicants to understand how their request was evaluated and by whom.

The concept also extends to scientific research and engineering. In these domains, selvitettävyys ensures that experiments can be replicated and results verified. This involves meticulous documentation of methodologies, materials, and any deviations from standard procedures. Without this, it becomes difficult to validate findings or build upon previous work reliably. Ultimately, selvitettävyys fosters trust and reliability in systems, processes, and information.