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nonobservation

nonobservation

8.7
The failure to notice or record something in research
  • noun
  • /ˌnɒnˈɒbzərˌveɪʃən/
translation icon : no observación
  • The nonobservation of key data in the experiment hindered the researchers' conclusions.

Examples

  • The nonobservation of the decays in equation 1 is explained by a rule that assigns a different type or flavor to each of the charged leptons and then states that, in a reaction involving leptons, it is either very difficult or even impossible for the lepton flavor to change.

    Academic text (1997)
  • There are other observed and nonobserved interactions of the charged leptons that fit together with the nonobservation of the decays in equation 1. For example, the reactions

    Academic text (1997)
  • Scientific integrity requires documenting all findings, including instances of nonobservation.

  • During the investigation, the nonobservation of crucial events raised suspicions among the analysts.

Synonyms

absence
vsnonobservation
216 2.1

A lack of someone or something that should be there

refers specifically to failing to detect or record something in investigations
nonfinding
vsnonobservation
8.4

A report that finds no result or evidence

is about failing to detect or record something rather than a reported null result

Antonyms

211 3.0

The act of watching something to learn about it

How Observable

observation
211 3.0
detection
91 2.9
nonobservation
8.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

nonobservation = observation (transparent) = non + observation

Formed by the productive negative prefix 'non-' added to the noun 'observation', meaning 'not observation' or failure to observe.

Etymology

The word nonobservation comes from non- meaning 'not' and observation, from observe, meaning 'to watch', so it literally means 'not watching' or 'not seeing' something. In science, it is used when an expected event or result is not seen or recorded.