Research Methodology
Every article on Komodo Guide follows a structured research and review process. This page documents how we source information, verify claims, and maintain accuracy over time.
Source Hierarchy
We evaluate sources using a tiered hierarchy. Higher tiers are preferred and cited more prominently.
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Nature, PNAS, Journal of Zoology, Biological Conservation, Austral Ecology — articles published in journals with editorial peer review and ISSN registration.
Government & Institutional Reports
IUCN Red List assessments, UNESCO World Heritage Centre reports, BKSDA monitoring data, KLHK policy documents, Komodo National Park Authority (BTNK) annual reports.
Conservation NGOs & Research Institutions
Komodo Survival Program, The Nature Conservancy, WWF-Indonesia, Coral Triangle Initiative, Conservation International survey data.
Field Observations & Expert Interviews
Direct observations by park rangers, independent researchers, and verified field reports. Used only when corroborated by Tier 1–3 sources or explicitly labeled as anecdotal.
Research Workflow
| Stage | Action | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Literature Review | Search PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and institutional repositories for primary sources. | Annotated bibliography of 10–20 sources per topic. |
| 2. Data Extraction | Extract key statistics, methodologies, and limitations from each source. | Structured data table with source, finding, and confidence level. |
| 3. Cross-Verification | Compare findings across sources. Flag conflicts for resolution. | Conflict resolution notes with preferred figure and rationale. |
| 4. Draft & Review | Write article. Internal review by editorial team for accuracy and clarity. | Draft with inline source citations. |
| 5. External Review | Specialist articles sent to external reviewer for fact-check (optional). | Reviewer sign-off or revision requests. |
| 6. Publication | Publish with Sources & Further Reading section, update date, and disclaimer. | Live article with full citation list. |
Handling Conflicting Data
Scientific estimates often vary. When sources conflict — for example, population estimates ranging from 1,383 mature individuals (IUCN 2021) to ~3,000 total individuals (park surveys) — we report the range, explain the methodology behind each figure, and cite both sources. We do not artificially smooth over uncertainty to present a false sense of precision.
Update Policy
- ◆ Quarterly review: All articles are reviewed every 3 months for outdated statistics, broken links, and new research.
- ◆ Event-driven updates: Major policy changes (e.g., new IUCN assessments, fee revisions, quota changes) trigger immediate updates.
- ◆ Version tracking: Each article displays its publication date and last updated date. Significant revisions are noted in the article header.
Corrections
We are committed to correcting errors promptly. If you identify a factual error, outdated statistic, or missing citation, please email us at [email protected] with the article URL and correction details. Verified corrections are published within 7 business days.
Correction Log
A public correction log will be maintained on this page starting June 2026. All significant corrections (changes to statistics, species data, or policy information) will be documented with the date, nature of correction, and source of the corrected information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of sources does Komodo Guide prioritise?
Komodo Guide uses a four-tier source hierarchy. Tier 1 (highest) is peer-reviewed journals such as Nature, PNAS, and Biological Conservation. Tier 2 is government and institutional reports including IUCN Red List, UNESCO, and BTNK annual reports. Tier 3 is conservation NGO data. Tier 4 is field observations, used only when corroborated by Tier 1–3 sources.
How does Komodo Guide handle conflicting scientific data?
When sources conflict — for example, population estimates ranging from 1,383 mature individuals (IUCN 2021) to approximately 3,000 total individuals (park surveys) — Komodo Guide reports the full range, explains the methodology behind each figure, and cites both sources. Uncertainty is never smoothed over to present false precision.
How frequently are articles reviewed and updated?
All articles are reviewed quarterly for outdated statistics, broken links, and new research. Major policy changes — such as new IUCN assessments, fee revisions, or quota changes — trigger immediate updates. Each article displays its original publication date and last updated date, with significant revisions noted in the article header.
Does Komodo Guide use external expert reviewers?
Yes. Specialist articles are optionally sent to external subject-matter reviewers for fact-checking before publication. Reviewers provide sign-off or revision requests, and are credited in the relevant article where applicable. This external review is in addition to internal cross-verification by the editorial team.
How many sources are compiled per article topic?
The standard literature review stage produces an annotated bibliography of 10–20 sources per topic. Key statistics are extracted into a structured data table with source, finding, and confidence level assigned. Cross-verification then compares findings across sources and flags conflicts for resolution before drafting begins.