Research: Methodology & Standards
Methodology & Standards
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1. Evidence-Labelling Scheme
Every claim in our research section carries a label indicating its epistemic status:
Confirmed
Definition: Information from official, primary, or peer-reviewed sources that we have verified directly.
Examples:
- Criminal Code sections
- Statistics Canada data
- Police service announcements
- Court decisions
- Government designations (terrorist entities, etc.)
How we mark it: The label “Confirmed” appears beside the claim, with a direct link to the primary source.
Reported
Definition: Information from reputable media or credible grey literature that we have not independently verified but consider reliable.
Examples:
- CBC News, Global News, or other established journalism
- Community advisory group reports
- Victim services data
- Academic literature not directly replicated by us
How we mark it: The label “Reported” appears beside the claim, with attribution to the source.
Analysis
Definition: Interpretation, framework, or argument developed by AAOCTE or attributed to us. Not independently verified fact; analytical tool.
Examples:
- “Punishment by proxy” framework
- “Organized criminal persecution” concept
- Our court outcomes research
- Recommendations and interpretations
How we mark it: The label “Analysis” appears prominently, with clear statement that this is our original work or interpretive framework, not established fact.
2. Citation Rules
Primary Sources Preferred
We link directly to:
- Legislation: Justice Laws Website (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)
- Statistics: Statistics Canada tables and publications
- Court decisions: CanLII or court websites
- Police data: Police service annual reports and announcements
- Government designations: Public Safety Canada, CBSA
Media Sources
When we use media reporting, we:
- Name the outlet and journalist (if known)
- Link to the original article
- Note the date
- Treat the claim as “Reported,” not “Confirmed” (unless the media is reporting an official source, in which case we label it “Confirmed” and link to both)
International Sources
International research (e.g., Global Initiative, Latin American or South Asian scholarship) is:
- Clearly marked as international
- Not treated as directly applicable to Canada
- Used for comparative context or theoretical framing
3. Three-Way Separation
We maintain visual and conceptual separation between:
| Category | Example |
|---|---|
| Established evidence | “Extortion is defined under Criminal Code s. 346” |
| Emerging / contested | “Task force reports declining cases; displacement possible” |
| AAOCTE analysis | “‘Punishment by proxy’ is our analytical framework” |
4. When Evidence Is Absent
We say so plainly:
- “We know very little, empirically, about what works to reduce extortion.”
- “The evidence is absent, not negative.”
- “We cannot distinguish these explanations with current data.”
This is more credible than implying certainty. It also identifies research gaps.
5. Update Cycle
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Breaking news updates | As needed |
| Verified figures refresh | Quarterly |
| Full research section review | Every 6 months |
| Court outcomes research update | Annually |
Current review dates:
- Last reviewed: June 2026
- Next review: September 2026
6. Limitations We Acknowledge
- Small sample sizes in our court outcomes research
- Selection bias (only cases that are reported and reach court)
- Incomplete data from police services
- Anecdotal community reports not representative
- International literature not directly transferable
- Rapidly changing situation — what is true today may not be true in six months
7. How to Cite Our Research
Recommended format:
Alliance Against Organized Coercion and Targeted Extortion. (2026). [Page title]. https://stop-extortion.ca/[path]. Last reviewed [date].
When citing our analysis:
- Label it as “AAOCTE analytical framework” or “original analysis”
- Do not treat it as established fact
- Link to the primary sources we cite, not just to our page
- Contact us for clarification: research@stop-extortion.ca
8. Corrections
If you believe we have made an error:
Email: review@stop-extortion.ca
Please include:
- The page URL
- What you believe is incorrect
- Your source or reasoning
- Whether you are comfortable being contacted
We will respond within 10 business days. If the correction affects victim safety, we will act immediately.
9. What We Will Not Do
- Publish unverified rumours
- Present speculation as fact
- Hide uncertainty behind confident language
- Conflate our analysis with established evidence
- Collect or publish victim data
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Next review: September 2026