claude-code-skills-reference/deep-research/references/source_quality_rubric.md

Source Quality Rubric

Classify sources into tiers and prioritize higher quality evidence.

Tier A (Highest)

• Primary sources: government data, standards bodies, peer-reviewed papers
• Official filings: annual reports, regulatory filings, audited statements
• First-party datasets with transparent methodology

Tier B (Reliable)

• Reputable news organizations with editorial standards
• Industry analyst reports with clear methodology
• Company technical blogs with data and disclosures

Tier C (Use Sparingly)

• Opinion pieces without evidence
• Marketing materials without verification
• Aggregators without clear sourcing

Exclusion Rules

• Exclude sources with no date or author
• Exclude sources that cannot be verified
• Exclude sources that are clearly outdated for the topic

Conflict Handling

• Surface conflicting sources explicitly
• Prefer higher tier sources
• Note uncertainty when conflicts remain