estimate
An educated guess about the value of data; not to be displayed as known data.
An estimate is a guess based on close knowledge or observation of an object. Estimated data is not displayed publicly, but is stored for possible queries by interested users. In any case, estimated data is flagged as unfounded, is hidden by default, and can be superseded by data from any reputable source.
The value is an informed guess about the object. It has a different evidential status from measurement using a scaled device or personal observation of a fact that can be directly established.
Storing an estimate for possible queries does not establish it as known public data. The stated unfounded flag, default concealment, and replacement by reputable sourced data remain part of how this source is treated.
Related definitions
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autogeneration
Data produced automatically by analyzing information already present in the database, with validity dependent on those inputs. -
direct communication
Sources of data conveyed in speech or writing by anyone expected to have access to reliable sources. -
observation
Data sources received as first-hand sensory input by the person entering the data. -
system
A value written by the application itself rather than entered or read from an outside source by a person. -
text media
Data sources in the form of printed media, controlled databases, and similar numeric or textual formats. -
visual media
Data sources in the form of visual representations, generally requiring scaling or interpretation for data extraction. -
website
Sources of data in the form of html or similar content, not including web-hosted documents.