Aleatoric uncertainty
Definition
Variability in outcomes due to unknowable or inherently random factors. The stochastic component of outcome uncertainty that cannot be reduced through additional sources of information. For example, when flipping a coin, uncertainty about whether it will land on heads or tails.
Reference:
- Der Kiureghian, A., & Ditlevsen, O. (2009). Aleatory or epistemic? Does it matter? Structural Safety, 31(2), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2008.06.020
Originally drafted by: Bradley Baker
Reviewed by: Nihan Albayrak-Aydemir, Brett Gall, Magdalena Grose-Hodge, Bethan Iley, Charlotte R. Pennington
Suggest an improvement
Spotted an error, a broken link, or think this entry is missing something? Let us know — this goes directly to the glossary team.
