Evidence standards
These standards govern what MKAI publishes, how records are formed, and how provenance, correction, and citation are handled across the archive.
Purpose
MKAI exists to publish records that can be read, cited, and contested. The archive keeps question, method, evidence, and scope together so claims do not drift away from the basis on which they were made.
What enters the archive
A record enters the archive when the document itself is complete enough to stand in public: that means the question, method, scope, and finding, null result, or committed instrument are all legible. Incomplete companion material is held back until it reaches that threshold.
Admissibility and provenance
MKAI publishes records based on material whose provenance can be stated clearly enough for a reader to understand what was read, coded, observed, or excluded, and on what basis. Material may be omitted where provenance cannot be established or where publication would create unnecessary risk without improving the record.
Method and scope disclosure
Every published record should state what it is testing, what corpus or sample it uses, how the evidence was handled, and what the record does not claim. Scope limits are part of the publication, not an afterthought.
Versioning and legacy addresses
Where a record already has a published public URL, that address is preserved. When the archive structure changes, the earlier address remains available so citations do not break and readers can still reach the original public record.
Corrections and dispute
If a published record is challenged, MKAI reviews the challenge against the stated evidence standard. Where warranted, it issues a correction, clarification, or dated update note rather than silently replacing the record.
Citation
Records are written for citation. Suggested citation text is provided on study pages where available, and canonical addresses are maintained so the public archive remains stable over time.