Editorial policy

Independence

Doctren is a non-profit. We choose our research questions based on public interest, not on who might pay for them. Funders, partners and supporters have no right to review, change or approve a report before it is published.

Funding and conflicts of interest

Every report lists any funding that supported it. Authors and reviewers must tell us about any personal, financial or professional interest that could affect, or be seen to affect, their work. These declarations appear on the report. If a conflict is too close, the person steps away from that project.

How a report is made

1. Question. A research group sets out the question and how it will be answered.
2. Research. Members, AI research agents, or both gather data, books and references.
3. Writing. The lead researcher writes the paper from the findings.
4. Review. At least one guest reviewer who did not work on the project checks the report's method, sources and conclusions.
5. Approval. The research group approves the final version before it is published.

Use of AI tools

AI research agents can help find and organise sources quickly, but they can also make mistakes. Our rules:

• A researcher checks every source an agent returns before it is used.
• No source is cited unless a person has confirmed it exists and says what the report claims.
• Reports are written, reviewed and approved by people, and the named authors are responsible for every word.
• Each report states whether AI research tools were used.

Sources and evidence

We prefer primary and peer-reviewed sources, cite everything we rely on, and link to sources wherever we can. We separate what the evidence shows from the authors' interpretation, and we say clearly when evidence is limited or mixed.

Corrections

If you find an error, please tell us. We will look into it and reply.

• Minor fixes (typos, broken links, formatting) are made without a notice.
• Corrections to facts, figures or sources are made in the report, with a dated correction notice at the top explaining what changed.
• Retractions. If a report's main findings turn out to be unreliable, we mark it as retracted, explain why, and keep it online so the record is clear.

We do not quietly remove or rewrite published reports.

Translations

Bangla editions are translated and checked by a bilingual reviewer. Corrections to a report are made to both editions.

Your feedback

We welcome challenges to our work. If you disagree with a report's method or conclusions, contact us. Substantive responses may be published alongside the report, with the writer's permission.