Sources & Evidence

Credibility requires more than adding a link at the bottom of a page.

The Relocation Ecosystem uses a simple evidence hierarchy so readers can distinguish formal requirements, sourced facts, industry operating practice, contributor experience, and TRE's proposed common-language definitions.

Evidence Hierarchy

1. Primary Legal or Regulatory Sources

When a definition or guide depends on a law, regulation, regulator interpretation, or formal consumer-protection requirement, TRE should use the controlling or administering source whenever practical. For interstate household-goods topics, this commonly includes FMCSA and applicable federal regulations.

2. Primary Research and Original Data

When TRE cites a statistic, survey result, benchmark, or research finding, preference should be given to the organization that conducted the research, together with enough context to understand the sample, methodology, date, and limitations.

3. Authoritative Industry Sources

Industry associations, carrier tariffs, formal service standards, technical documentation, and other authoritative operating materials may be used when they provide context not available from a regulator or primary research source.

4. Operating Practice

Some relocation terms are widely used without one universal regulatory definition. In those cases, TRE should label the content as an operating-practice definition or note that usage can vary by mover, carrier, RMC, technology platform, tariff, geography, or service model.

5. Contributor Experience

First-hand experience can reveal real friction, misunderstandings, and process failures. TRE may use contributor examples as qualitative evidence, but a single experience should not be presented as proof that a condition is universal.

6. TRE Common-Language Definition

A TRE common-language definition is a proposed practical definition intended to reduce ambiguity across the relocation ecosystem. It does not override controlling law, regulation, tariff, contract language, or an organization's formal policy.

How Dictionary Entries Should Be Read

Dictionary entries may combine several layers:

• a plain-English explanation;
• operational context;
• why the term creates confusion or risk;
• related terminology;
• traceable sources where applicable;
• and TRE's proposed common-language definition.

Where a term has different legal, regulatory, contractual, or operating meanings, the entry should say so rather than pretending one definition applies everywhere.

Fact, Interpretation, and Opinion

TRE aims to distinguish:

• Fact — directly supported by a traceable source or documented record.
• Interpretation — TRE's explanation of what the evidence may mean in practice.
• Operating practice — how a term or process is commonly used in the field.
• Opinion — a contributor's or TRE author's viewpoint.

Corrections and Updates

Relocation terminology, regulations, technology, and operating practices change. TRE may revise an entry when stronger evidence becomes available, when a source changes, or when industry participation reveals that a definition needs clarification.

If you believe an entry is incomplete or incorrect, visit Contribute and provide the term, proposed correction, and supporting evidence.

Independence

Commercial relationships, sponsorship, partnerships, or participation do not purchase a Dictionary definition, research conclusion, ranking, or interpretation. Where a material relationship could affect how a perspective is understood, it should be disclosed.

Educational Use

The Relocation Ecosystem provides educational information. It does not provide legal, insurance, tax, or financial advice. Readers should verify the requirements and contractual terms that apply to their specific move, jurisdiction, and service provider.

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Editorial & Research Standards

These standards apply to TRE articles, Dictionary entries, research notes, and contributed perspectives.

Sourcing and jurisdiction

Link factual claims to the source that supports them. Identify the source date and relevant jurisdiction when they affect the meaning. Distinguish interstate household-goods requirements from state intrastate rules, contractual commitments, and operating practice. A TRE definition does not replace any of them.

Contributor review and disclosure

Contributors should identify their role, relevant experience, and material commercial interests. TRE reviews submissions for clarity, evidence, attribution, and relevance. Disagreement is welcome; promotional claims require support and should not be presented as independent findings. Partnerships do not buy favorable coverage or editorial approval.

Research methods and limitations

A published research synthesis should state the question, collection dates, recruitment method, number of usable responses, relevant stakeholder groups, analysis method, and limitations. Explain exclusions and how recurring themes were identified. Voluntary responses are not a representative industry sample; report counts and denominators without implying unsupported precision or causation.

AI-assisted production

AI may assist with organizing material, drafting, or analysis. The responsible author or editor remains accountable for source verification, accuracy, attribution, and the final publication. Disclose material AI involvement when it affects the research method, interpretation, or how a reader should understand the work. Do not present generated examples or invented quotations as observed evidence.

Corrections and Dictionary revisions

Readers can submit a correction through Contribute with the page, disputed statement, proposed correction, and supporting source. Material changes to a definition or conclusion should carry a dated revision note explaining what changed and why. Minor spelling or formatting fixes need not imply a substantive change.

Connected knowledge

New and substantially revised content should identify Who this affects and Where this sits in the move where useful. Dictionary entries should explain stakeholder perspectives, responsibility and handoffs, misunderstandings, consequences, related concepts, and evidence. Link relevant terms in context and use a short related-reading section so readers can move from a definition to a practical explanation.

Standards expanded September 4, 2026.

Review dates and research follow-through

For time-sensitive guidance, a source-review note should identify the review date, the claims or sources checked, and the relevant move type or jurisdiction. A publication date or formatting update is not evidence that every claim was rechecked. Add a new review date only after completing the stated review.

When reporting responses to a research question, link the synthesis back to the original question and distinguish participant observations from TRE interpretation. State what remains unresolved and the next question the evidence supports. Do not imply a weekly publication schedule unless that schedule is being maintained.

Review-date and research follow-through standards added September 23, 2026.