```markdown---type: documentationid: PL-DOC03created: 2026-07-19tags: [standards, quality]---# Research Standards## Evidence Hierarchy| Level | Description | Example ||-------|-------------|---------|| **Primary** | Original data, direct observation | Interview transcript, raw dataset || **Secondary** | Scholarly analysis of primary | Peer-reviewed article, book || **Tertiary** | Summary or synthesis of secondary | Literature review, textbook || **Grey** | Non-peer-reviewed but relevant | Policy brief, NGO report, preprint |## Concept MaturityTrack where each idea stands in your thinking:| Stage | Meaning | Action ||-------|---------|--------|| **Observation** | Noticed something interesting | Record in Sources or Literature Note || **Candidate** | Think there might be a pattern here | Create Permanent Note, mark as tentative || **Supported** | Found multiple sources confirming | Strengthen Permanent Note, add evidence || **Canonical** | Confident enough to build on | Use in Outputs, cite as established |## Citation Rules1. Every claim has a source2. Every source has a Literature Note3. Every Literature Note links to its Source4. Every Permanent Note links to supporting Literature Notes## Versioning for Outputs| Stage | Meaning | Who Sees It ||-------|---------|-------------|| **Draft** | Rough, incomplete | Only you || **Working** | Complete but unreviewed | Collaborators || **Stable** | Reviewed and approved | Wider audience || **Archived** | Superseded by newer version | Reference only |## Red Flags- A Permanent Note with no links to Literature Notes- A Source with no Literature Note- A Literature Note that only summarizes without analyzing- An Output with no connection to Permanent Notes## Quality ChecklistBefore marking any note as "done":- [ ] Written in my own words (not copied)- [ ] Links to at least one other note- [ ] Has complete metadata (type, id, created, tags)- [ ] Evidence is cited (for Permanent Notes)- [ ] Critique is included (for Literature Notes)