Methodology

The question this site answers

What outcomes can be attributed to the person? Projects, investments, public service, philanthropy and employment that can be independently verified, with the measured outcome and who measured it.

Sources, in order of preference

1. Audited accounts and annual reports
2. Grant and contract records
3. Independent evaluations and audits
4. Government and multilateral programme data

Primary records are preferred. Company statements, personal responses and third-party allegations are always labelled as what they are.

Sections and their evidence standards

• Activity. What was done, by whom, when and where. Standard: Primary records: grants, contracts, filings, reports.
• Attribution. The person’s specific role, separated from the organisation’s. Standard: Primary records plus independent corroboration.
• Outcome. What was measured, the figure and the measuring body. Standard: Independent evaluation where available.
• Commitment vs delivery. Pledged amounts shown next to delivered amounts. Standard: Audited accounts, donor reports.
• Review. Sources, last-reviewed date, change history and correction route. Standard: Public audit trail.

Identity before claims

Names, aliases, positions and company relationships are resolved against the person’s master record on PublicFigureRecord.org before any claim is assessed. A name match alone is never enough to attach a record to a person.

Dates on every record

Each record shows the date of its most recent source and the date an editor last reviewed it. Sensitive records are re-reviewed on a fixed schedule and whenever a new primary record appears.

Who is covered

Coverage spans a broad range of public figures across sectors and jurisdictions, chosen by published editorial criteria. People are not added or removed because of any commercial relationship or dispute.