'Ambiguity' refers to the presence of two or more possible meanings, interpretations, or outcomes within a statement, variable, concept, or result, where the intended meaning is unclear or context-dependent.

• Linguistic ambiguity – when a term or phrase can be interpreted in different ways (e.g., “positive test” could mean good news or disease presence).
• Conceptual ambiguity – when a scientific or clinical concept lacks a clear or universally accepted definition (e.g., “frailty”, “quality of life”).
• Methodological ambiguity – when study design, inclusion criteria, or outcome measures are poorly defined, leading to confusion in interpretation.

• Reduces reproducibility
• Undermines the clarity of conclusions
• Opens the door to interpretative overconfidence or confirmation bias

• Can mislead diagnosis or treatment decisions
• May confuse patients or create uncertainty in communication

'In summary:' ambiguity introduces uncertainty and interpretative risk, making clarity and precision essential in scientific writing and clinical decision-making.