Purpose
Collaborative research succeeds only when contributors share a common understanding of what counts as evidence, how it should be documented, and how interpretation should be distinguished from fact. This framework provides that shared foundation for all Clay Family Society research collaboration.
The intent is not to impose rigidity or academic formalism, but to ensure that research conducted within the Society remains transparent, reviewable, and cumulative over time—even as participants, tools, and hypotheses evolve.
Getting Started
Before contributing to a workgroup or shared research space, members are encouraged to:
- Review all the Evidence menu selections
- Familiarize themselves with documentation expectations
- Ask questions early if classification or sourcing is unclear
Good documentation is not overhead; it is the mechanism by which collaborative research remains trustworthy.