Source Quality Policy

Classify each source into a four-tier system based on authority and methodology, then run independence and recency checks. Tier-1 primary sources with independent data and current dates receive an approved verdict.

A tier system ranks sources by quality: Tier-1 covers primary authoritative sources like government statistics and peer-reviewed journals, Tier-2 covers reputable secondary publications, Tier-3 covers community content, and Tier-4 covers unverified or promotional material.

Check whether one article cites another as its basis or whether multiple articles trace back to the same primary source. Sources sharing a citation chain or parent company count as a single independent source, not multiple.

Reject or flag a source as stale when its publication date does not match the claim's timeframe, such as citing 2020 data for a current market size claim. High-stakes research requires publication within 180 days for current trend claims.

Tier classification evaluates the publication venue, not individual content quality, so a blog post on a government site may only qualify as Tier-2 or Tier-3. Tier-3 community sources remain supplemental and require Tier-1 or Tier-2 corroboration for load-bearing claims.