“The Dusk approaches research with a simple principle: Start with the evidence. Then build the argument.”
Our analysis may contain interpretation, but factual claims should be grounded wherever reasonably possible in identifiable evidence.
Primary Sources
Primary sources are preferred whenever available. Depending on the subject, these may include government datasets, legislation and regulatory documents, parliamentary material, financial and economic statistics, institutional reports, company disclosures and other original records.
Examples of institutions whose material may appear in our research include the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), government ministries and regulators, NITI Aayog, USTR, ASER Centre, European Union institutions and other relevant public bodies. The appropriate sources vary by article.
Secondary Sources
Reputable journalism, academic literature, industry research and specialist publications may be used to provide context, identify competing interpretations or supplement primary evidence. A secondary source is not automatically treated as confirmation of a claim simply because it has been published elsewhere.
Statistics and Data
Where an argument relies materially on a statistic, The Dusk aims to identify its source and relevant time period. Figures may change after publication as institutions revise datasets or newer information becomes available. Where timing materially affects interpretation, the article should make the applicable date or period clear. Charts and visualisations produced by The Dusk should identify the underlying data source where practicable.
Analysis and Interpretation
Research necessarily involves interpretation. The Dusk distinguishes between what the evidence establishes and what we infer from that evidence. Analytical conclusions should follow from the material presented rather than being presented as established fact when they are judgments or projections. Uncertainty should be acknowledged where the evidence does not justify a definitive conclusion.
Sources and Citations
Substantive research pieces should provide sufficient sourcing for readers to investigate important claims independently. Not every sentence requires a citation. However, consequential factual claims, statistics, quotations and claims derived from identifiable external research should be attributable where appropriate.
Editorial Independence
Research conclusions are determined by the available evidence and the author's analysis. The Dusk does not alter an analytical conclusion simply to accommodate a political, commercial or institutional preference.
Corrections & Updates Policy
Accuracy matters more than preserving the appearance of having been right the first time. The Dusk aims to publish research that is accurate, transparent and capable of being independently examined. Research, however, deals with evolving information. Government datasets are revised. Regulations change. New evidence emerges. Errors can also occur. When they do, we believe the appropriate response is to correct the record clearly.
If an article contains a factual error, The Dusk will correct it once the error has been reasonably established. Minor typographical, formatting or grammatical changes that do not alter meaning may be made without a correction notice. A substantive correction should be disclosed when it materially changes a factual claim, statistic, quotation, interpretation or conclusion.
Updates
An article may be updated when significant new information becomes available after publication. Where an update materially changes the article, an update note should identify what changed and, where appropriate, when. Adding links, improving formatting or making immaterial editorial changes does not necessarily require an update notice.
Challenging Our Research
Readers, researchers and institutions are welcome to challenge factual claims or provide additional evidence. A correction request should ideally identify:
- The article concerned
- The specific statement being challenged
- Why it is believed to be incorrect
- The source or evidence supporting the correction
Disagreement with an interpretation is not, by itself, evidence of factual error. But substantive counter-evidence will be considered on its merits.
Contact
Correction requests can be submitted through the contact information provided on The Dusk website:
The Dusk • contact@thedusk.in
