Scope
Define the question, intended use, authority, exclusions and conflicts.
Methodology
A traceable process from the initial question to the reviewed deliverable.
The exact procedures depend on the engagement, but evidence status, sources, assumptions and limitations must remain visible.
Core process
Five stages with explicit responsibility
A stage may be repeated when new material changes the available explanation.
Preserve
Identify sources, protect originals and record acquisition or transfer.
Analyse
Apply appropriate procedures and distinguish observation from inference.
Test
Compare competing hypotheses and record contradictory or missing material.
Review and report
Human review confirms wording, support and limitations before delivery.
Retain or return
Apply the agreed retention, return, hold or deletion procedure.
Automated tools
Indicators are not conclusions
The method registry distinguishes operational tools, pilots and experimental indicators.
Integrity and metadata
Hashes, inventories and metadata extraction assist traceability but do not prove authorship or truth.
Image, audio and statistical indicators
Exploratory patterns can be affected by compression, data selection, quality and model limitations.
AI-assisted organisation
Assistance with transcription, chronology or risk indicators requires confirmation against source material.