Research Methodology and Source Policy
How we verify science across 10 flagship articles backed by 130+ peer-reviewed sources.
Triple-Gate Verification
Gate 1: Data Density Audit
Every flagship article cites 12-19 peer-reviewed sources from indexed journals with Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for permanent verification. Background sources from government agencies and international bodies are labeled separately. Where no DOI exists, we link to the publisher or institutional page.
Gate 2: Entity Alignment
All technical concepts are mapped to the Wikidata Knowledge Graph using DefinedTerm and sameAs schema properties. This ensures global interoperability — every scientific term connects to the canonical entity recognized by search engines and AI systems worldwide. Currently 37+ Wikidata entities across 10 articles.
Gate 3: Epistemic Nuance Filter
Content is audited to separate proven science from popular narrative. Personified metaphors (e.g., “Mother Trees,” “forest friendships”) are replaced with biochemical signal transduction and resource marketplace dynamics. We cite Karst et al. (2023) in Nature Ecology & Evolution on citation bias to demonstrate scientific self-correction.
Proven vs. Uncertain
Every flagship article splits claims into two categories: “What science has proven” and “What is still uncertain.” We do not present emerging research as settled fact. Uncertainty is stated clearly — this is a feature, not a weakness.
Video Curation Standard
All embedded videos are sourced from official organizations, government agencies, or institutional channels. Every video ID is verified via the YouTube Data API before inclusion. We search in order of authority:
| Tier | Source Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government agencies (.gov) | NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH, WHO |
| 2 | Non-profit organizations (.org) | MBARI, Xerces Society, Kiss the Ground, Rodale Institute |
| 3 | Academic / Institutional | TED, TED-Ed, Kurzgesagt, CrashCourse, Royal Society |
We reject videos with savior narratives, staged content, influencer-centric framing, or emotional manipulation. The recipient in any kindness footage must retain sovereignty and dignity.
The Kindness Intelligence Constitution
We distinguish between staged altruism and documented interspecies cooperation. Our media curation uses a 4-metric authenticity audit:
Dignity
Recipient is an equal. Privacy respected. No power imbalance.
Intent
Act is quiet, often anonymous. No brand promotion or clout-seeking.
Authenticity
Single-take, raw footage. No producer intervention or staging.
Sustainability
Genuine connection or systemic help. Not drive-by kindness.
Independence and Ethics
Express.Love is an independent platform. We do not accept pay-to-play citations or sponsored scientific content. Our library is built as educational infrastructure, focusing on the interconnected systems that sustain life on Earth. All content is free to access. Organization recommendations are based on verified impact data, not partnerships.
Corrections and Feedback
If you find an error, outdated source, or factual inaccuracy in any article, contact us at corrections@express.love. We commit to reviewing and responding to all corrections within 7 days.