Methodology
How term status is assigned, and why. We are an aggregator and curator of verified sources — we track the current state of evidence rather than claiming absolute truth.
The evidence hierarchy
Higher tiers carry more weight. A claim's status reflects the best available evidence, not the loudest voice.
1. Systematic reviews
Cochrane, NICE, NHMRC and other meta-analyses carry the most weight because they aggregate and appraise many individual studies.
2. Guidelines & consensus
WHO, EFSA, EMA, IPCC and national science academies form the next layer of authority, synthesising expert agreement.
3. Primary studies
Randomised trials, cohort and observational studies from peer-reviewed journals, with the evidence level clearly indicated.
4. Official records
For political and legal claims we cite court rulings, official audits and primary documents rather than commentary.
Status labels
Every term receives one of three neutral labels.
False
The claim is contradicted by the weight of evidence.
Mixed
Partly true, context-dependent, or still contested by credible sources.
Supported
The claim is consistent with the weight of evidence — including documented scams that are real.