When a source is needed
Not every sentence needs a citation. A simple instruction, such as writing down one thought before bed, is different from a claim about health, behaviour, or research findings.
We add a source when a reader would reasonably need to know where a factual, scientific, psychological, or health-related statement came from, or when the claim could influence a decision about their well-being.
Reflection prompts, clearly labelled examples, affirmation wording, and editorial recommendations are not presented as research findings and are not dressed up with citations that do not support them.
What sources we prefer
For scientific and health-adjacent claims, we look for the strongest practical source available for that specific question:
- Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and high-quality research syntheses.
- Peer-reviewed primary research, when a synthesis is unavailable or the individual study genuinely matters.
- Guidance from recognized public health bodies, academic institutions, or professional organizations.
- Original documentation for product, policy, or technical facts.
Popular articles and secondary coverage can help us find a topic or locate the underlying research. They are not sufficient on their own to support a meaningful scientific claim, and we cite the original work rather than the article that summarized it.
We also weigh who funded a study and whether the result has been reproduced. A single striking finding is treated with more caution than a consistent body of evidence.
How evidence shapes the wording
Our language should never sound more certain than the evidence behind it. We distinguish between what research suggests, what has stronger support, what remains genuinely uncertain, and what is simply a practical option worth trying.
- We avoid “proves” when a study only shows an association.
- We do not convert an average result across a group into a promise for one person.
- We name limitations when they change how a reader should interpret a finding.
- We avoid stacking small findings into a larger claim that no single source actually supports.
- Where evidence is mixed or early, we say so rather than choosing the most flattering study.
How we link
We link close to the claim whenever that helps a reader check it, and we prefer a stable link to the original source over an intermediary. Where a source is paywalled, we say what it is so the reader can find it another way.
Links to external sources are not endorsements of everything else that source publishes, and they do not create any relationship between Mindation and the organization cited.
AI and sources
AI tools may help us search, summarize, or organize material. AI output is never treated as a source in itself.
Every citation is checked against the original source by a person before publication: that the source exists, that it says what we claim it says, and that its scope actually covers the statement it supports.
Dates and source freshness
Newer is not automatically better, and older is not automatically wrong. We consider the type of question, the quality of the source, whether the field has moved, and whether newer evidence materially changes the practical conclusion.
A page is only given a new update date when its content has genuinely been reviewed or changed.
What sources cannot do
A citation does not convert general information into personal medical advice. Research describing what happened across a group cannot predict how one practice will affect one particular reader, and nothing on this site is a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation, or a substitute for care from a qualified professional.
We keep that boundary visible, especially on pages connected to stress, mood, sleep, or emotional well-being. If you have or suspect a medical or mental health condition, speak with a qualified professional about your own situation.
Reporting a source problem
If a citation looks wrong, a link is broken, a source does not support the claim it sits beside, or attribution is missing, please tell us through the Contact page. Include the page URL and a short description of the issue.
Material errors are corrected as soon as reasonably possible. Our full approach to review and corrections is described in the Editorial Policy.