Trace the origin
Separate author, host, republisher and person making a capture. Find the earliest accessible publication and note changed or removed versions.
GUIDE / PROTOCOL
Qualify an open source before using it
Publicly found information is not automatically independent, recent or accurate.
Direct answer
Can an open source support a decision?
Start with a precise claim. Identify who produced the information, who published it, when it was observed and what the document actually establishes. Seek independent corroboration and record what remains unknown before concluding.
01 / Review method
Review method
Bound the claim
Read the complete passage, date, geographic scope and production conditions. A primary source may know a fact while having an interest in its interpretation.
Cross-check without circularity
Find an observation from a different collection process. Three articles repeating one press release are not three confirmations.
Assign confidence
Separate direct observation, partial corroboration and hypothesis. State what would change the conclusion and when to revisit it.
02 / Evidence to keep
Evidence to keep
Provenance record
URL, publisher, stated author, publication date, access date and a retained copy where appropriate.
Relevant passage
Short excerpt, surrounding context, question addressed and what it cannot show.
Reuse chain
Earliest source found, dependent repetitions and genuinely independent sources.
Bounded conclusion
Fact, inference, uncertainty, confidence, owner and review date.
PRACTICAL CHECK
Before reaching a conclusion
A frequent misreading and the check that helps avoid it.
Premature conclusion
An institutional site may reliably report its own register without confirming facts outside its mandate. Official status does not make every inference official.
Decisive check
Describe who produces the data, why, how often it updates and what it covers. Compare the conclusion with an independent source suited to the fact in question.
AFTER THE REVIEW
Decide from the evidence
Three outlets repeat one press release
Count one origin and three repetitions. Find an independent document or observation before raising confidence.
The source page changed after citation
Keep both dated states, compare the relevant passage and revise the conclusion if its meaning changed.
OSINT / Official references
When qualifying a source
Start with the record closest to the fact, then test publication type and preservation.
Annuaire des Entreprises
Why start hereFind a French entity identifier and follow the original register.
Limit to rememberThis is an aggregator: check dates and the original register before drawing conclusions.
Read source entryCompanies House
Why start hereRead a UK filing history instead of citing a search snippet.
Limit to rememberCompanies House states that it does not check the accuracy of filed information.
Read source entryWayback Machine
Why start hereCompare a page with a dated capture when wording changes.
Limit to rememberCaptures can be partial; their date and content do not validate the page’s claims.
Read source entry03 / FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is an official source enough?
It can establish what an institution says or publishes; a disputed claim may need more evidence.
Is a screenshot a primary source?
It shows a captured state subject to origin and integrity; look for the original or another trace.
What if sources conflict?
Keep versions, dates and scopes. Describe the disagreement before deciding.
When should information be set aside?
When provenance, date or context cannot support the intended decision.
04 / Official references