vísindalegt

Vísindalegt is an Icelandic adjective meaning “scientific” or “related to science.” It is used to describe methods, findings, or perspectives that are grounded in empirical evidence, systematic observation, and logical reasoning. The term appears frequently in education, journalism, and scholarly writing to distinguish evidence-based approaches from non-scientific ones.

The word derives from vísindi, meaning science, plus the standard Icelandic suffix -legt to form adjectives. The neuter singular form is vísindalegt, while the masculine form is vísindalegur and the feminine form is vísindaleg; plural forms follow ordinary Icelandic agreement rules. The noun vísindi refers to science itself.

Usage examples include vísindalegt efni (scientific material), vísindaleg aðferð (scientific method), and vísindalegt sjónarmið (scientific perspective). In discourse, the term is often paired with phrases such as rannsókn and tölfræði to emphasize an evidence-based approach. It is also used in contrast with óvísindalegt or pseudovísindalegur to mark unscientific or pseudoscientific claims.

Related terms include vísindi (science), vísindalegur (scientific in masculine form), and vísindaleg (scientific in feminine form). Vísindalegt remains a standard part of the Icelandic vocabulary for discussing science, research methodology, and rational inquiry in academic and public contexts.