Discovering a defect does not establish that it caused the problem being investigated.
More than one cause may contribute. Repair can be justified for other reasons even if it does not explain the target symptom.
Compare the defect's predicted effects with validated observations and the results of an appropriate discriminating test. Record what would make the explanation less plausible.
Idea
Discovering a defect does not establish that it caused the problem being investigated.
Reasoning
Compare the defect's predicted effects with validated observations and the results of an appropriate discriminating test. Record what would make the explanation less plausible.
Boundary
More than one cause may contribute. Repair can be justified for other reasons even if it does not explain the target symptom.
Evidence and connections
Original synthesis from the linked chapter review.
Full-volume corroboration and limits — 28 September 2026
Chapters 6–7 extend diagnosis to spatial distribution and accumulation. Chapter 6 pp.283–284 (PDF294–295) models unequal half-bed liquid allocation: an unchanged average does not imply equal local performance. Chapter 7 p.330 (PDF340) shows trace accumulation behind stable temperature. The diagnostic question becomes which spatial or time-dependent measurement could distinguish candidate causes. The particular model loss is not a universal efficiency factor.
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