US Evidence Standard v1

How US higher-education sources are treated.

The US Evidence Standard applies the Global Evidence Standard to United States higher-education source categories, reporting conventions, definitions, and caveats.

Version 1 · US Evidence Standard

Applicability

The US Evidence Standard adds country context without creating institution claims.

It is applied with the Global Evidence Standard and, where relevant, institution-type rules. It helps reviewers interpret sources, reporting periods, definitions, conflicts, and correction expectations for US evidence items.

Country standards explain how evidence is reviewed; they do not rank, certify, endorse, or create claims for institutions.

Source categories

Referenced US higher-education sources

Government: Public data and regulated reporting channels, interpreted with the relevant period, definition, and population.
Accreditation: Recognized accreditor materials when they are appropriate for the claim being reviewed.
Classification: Classification systems used to describe institutional type, activity, or context.
Audited reporting: Audited financial or operational reporting when relevant to the claim.
Official institutional research: Official institutional research, effectiveness, or planning publications with clear definitions and dates.
Annual reports: Official annual-report materials with traceable reporting periods and claim context.
Research funding: Official research-funding records or public reporting where the source supports the wording.
Rankings: Ranking sources only when the methodology, period, source, and claimed wording are traceable and appropriately qualified.