sourcessuch

Sourcessuch is a term used in information science to denote a standard and practice for evaluating and documenting sources used to support a claim. In this framework, a source is considered sourcessuch if its provenance is transparent, traceable, and sufficient to support the claim when re-examined.

The term sourcessuch is a neologism formed from "source" and "such," intended to convey the idea of such sources that meet explicit criteria for reliability and traceability.

Core principles of sourcessuch include provenance, verifiability, and reproducibility. Each cited source should be accompanied by metadata that records its origin, version, method of data collection, and any transformations applied. Researchers are encouraged to document the chain of evidence, provide access to primary data when possible, and use multiple independent sources to corroborate claims.

In practice, sourcessuch guides scholars, journalists, and data scientists to ensure that assertions are anchored to traceable documentation. It emphasizes transparent citation, clear methodology, and explicit limitations, with the aim of improving trust and accountability in information sharing.

The concept is discussed in academic libraries, journalism training, and data-science ethics as a framework for raising standards of source evaluation and evidence presentation. Critics argue that sourcessuch can introduce additional complexity and editing overhead, and may implicitly privilege topics with well-documented sources over those that are newer or less transparent. Nonetheless, proponents view it as a useful heuristic for promoting rigorous, reproducible information practices.