4.1 Purpose

SCRIBE researches neglected questions concerning inclusion, privacy, dignity, human variation and better ways of living.

Research may support campaigns, but campaigning does not remove the obligation to represent evidence honestly.

4.2 Forms of work

SCRIBE’s work may include:

• desk research;
• literature reviews;
• evidence maps;
• historical research;
• policy analysis;
• cultural analysis;
• surveys;
• interviews;
• case studies;
• public consultations;
• conceptual models;
• position papers;
• commissioned research.

A publication should make its method reasonably clear where the method affects how readers should interpret its conclusions.

4.3 Evidence hierarchy

SCRIBE does not treat every source as equally reliable.

Relevant considerations include:

• whether a source is primary or secondary;
• study design;
• sample size and relevance;
• transparency of methods;
• peer review;
• replication;
• conflicts of interest;
• date;
• consistency with other evidence;
• whether conclusions exceed the underlying findings.

Peer review is useful but is not a guarantee of truth. Non-academic evidence may also be important, particularly where formal research has neglected an experience.

4.4 Lived experience

Lived experience can reveal harms, needs and practical realities that aggregate research overlooks.

A personal account is evidence of that person’s reported experience. It is not automatically proof that the same outcome applies generally.

SCRIBE may use lived experience to:

• identify research questions;
• illustrate consequences;
• test institutional claims;
• understand language and stigma;
• develop practical recommendations.

4.5 Uncertainty

Where evidence is incomplete, SCRIBE should say so.

We may conclude that:

• an established assumption lacks strong evidence;
• a possibility deserves investigation;
• different interpretations remain reasonable;
• precaution or flexibility is justified despite uncertainty.

We will not present absence of evidence as conclusive proof of either safety or harm.

4.6 Causation

Associations and correlations should not be casually described as proof of causation.

Where SCRIBE proposes a possible causal mechanism, it should be identified as established, supported, plausible, speculative or contested according to the evidence available.

4.7 Statistics

Statistics should include enough context to be meaningful.

Where relevant, SCRIBE should identify:

• population;
• period;
• source;
• sample;
• absolute as well as relative figures;
• significant limitations;
• whether the figure is measured, estimated or modelled.

SCRIBE will not knowingly invent, distort or selectively manipulate figures.

4.8 Conflicting evidence

Material evidence that seriously complicates SCRIBE’s preferred position should not be hidden.

A publication need not give equal weight to claims of unequal evidential quality, but should represent serious competing evidence fairly.

4.9 Updating research

Research may be updated when:

• stronger evidence appears;
• a source is corrected or withdrawn;
• a methodological problem is identified;
• a statement is found to be inaccurate;
• circumstances materially change.

4.10 Independence and disclosure

Authors and reviewers should disclose interests that could reasonably affect interpretation.

Commissioned or sponsored research should identify the relationship and state whether the funder had editorial control.