Research and evidence standards

Evidence

Evidence and citation standards

Debate Bureau builds briefs from the underlying literature. Evidence cards should consist of the source’s own words, with omissions marked and qualifications preserved. Citations and author information should make the evidence traceable, while the surrounding analysis explains how the material functions in a round.

A card is useful only when a competitor can understand what the source says, where it came from, and how it supports the argument.

Source and author information

The publication should distinguish source identity, author qualifications, publication information, and the quoted material itself. Source count and citation count should never be treated as interchangeable metrics.

Organization

Topic maps, argument files, and responses

A large packet is not automatically a useful brief. Publications should map the topic, identify major strategic clashes, group coherent positions, and provide response coverage so competitors can move from reading to case construction and strategic preparation.

Organization for case construction and rebuttal preparation

Navigation, section labels, argument names, metadata, and cross-references should help a reader locate material under preparation and competition constraints.

Publication data

Edition and version records

Each product should display its event, topic window, edition, version, publication date, update status, and verified counts. The cover, catalog, product page, and delivered file should agree.

Updated editions retain a revision record

A corrected or expanded file should retain an update record so customers can tell what changed and whether a material correction occurred.

Corrections

Correction and update notices

Corrections should not be hidden behind marketing language. The product record should identify the version, date, and a concise explanation of any change that affects use of the publication.