Methodology
A1AYN publishes structured briefs and analytical outputs based on documented assumptions, traceable sources, and explicit signal construction. This page describes the general principles guiding research and applied work.
Core sources
- Official trade statistics
- Company disclosures and public registries
- Supplier websites, catalogs, and certifications (where directly verifiable)
- Standards references (e.g., EN / ISO) when contextually relevant
Processing principles
- Normalization of identifiers and category codes (HS / SITC where applicable)
- Deduplication and consistency checks
- Clear separation between raw data and derived signals
- Evidence-first notes: claims separated from indicators
- Versioned outputs for reproducibility
Confidence & labeling
Outputs are written to make uncertainty explicit. Where appropriate, A1AYN uses lightweight confidence labeling to distinguish:
- Measured: directly supported by the cited source data
- Inferred: derived from consistent signals but not a direct statement of a source
- Hypothesis: plausible interpretation requiring follow-up verification
For trade metrics and indicator math (SITC definitions, baseline logic, PDI terms), see Data Methodology.
Limitations
- Public data may be delayed, revised, or incomplete
- Rules of origin and “manufactured in” claims require case-by-case verification
- Analyses are indicative and do not constitute legal or financial advice
Applied work
In applied contexts, the same structured methodology can be extended with deeper document review, direct supplier Q&A, expanded partner sets, and additional geographies. Core principles remain unchanged: explicit assumptions, traceable signals, reproducible outputs, and confidence labeling.