Accounts, documents and evidence: directory glossary
Understand account access, document versions, identifiers, test methods, travel conditions and indicators. 62 practical distinctions.
A persistent identifier, an index entry and a complete document have different roles. Use these distinctions to choose the missing evidence and avoid interpreting a label as a guarantee.
ISBN
An identifier for a book edition and product form. Compare number, language, publisher and edition; a matching check character does not establish assignment.
Bibliothèque nationale de France : uses and checks →
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
ISSN
An identifier for a serial publication associated with its title and medium. It does not identify an individual article; print and online versions can have distinct ISSNs.
Bibliothèque nationale de France : uses and checks →
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Findable DOI
A DataCite state in which the DOI is registered and its metadata is public through the API and DataCite Commons. It concerns record availability, not object quality.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
Registered DOI
A DataCite state for a DOI registered in the Handle System whose metadata is not exposed by public search. Absence from Commons therefore does not establish absence of registration.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
Draft record
A DataCite draft that can reserve an identifier without registering it in the Handle System. Distinguish record preparation from actual DOI publication.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
ROR ID
A persistent identifier for a research organization. Name variants, locations, statuses and relationships help match affiliations; the identifier does not authenticate a person.
Research Organization Registry (ROR) : uses and checks →
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Wikidata rank
A preferred, normal or deprecated qualification for a statement. It helps select values; a reference is still needed to identify the source of the claim.
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W3C Group Note
A document published as a stable reference without being intended as a formal standard. A Note and a Recommendation have different standing in the W3C process.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
Statistical dimension
An axis describing dataset observations, such as geography, unit, frequency or period. Read the dimensions of two values before comparing them.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
Rolling period
A selection defined by a number of recent periods, such as the last ten available years. Covered years can change: record actual dates to reproduce an analysis.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
Metadata quality score
A data.gouv.fr indicator based on descriptions, documentation, updates and licensing, among other criteria. It does not replace examining the data or its suitability for a question.
data.gouv.fr : uses and checks →
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PubMed query translation
Transformation of entered terms into the executed search, shown in Search Details. Quotes, tags and wildcards affect automatic mapping: retain the executed query as well.
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Mastodon Quiet public
Visibility formerly called Unlisted: absent from public feeds and search but accessible on the profile and by direct link. The post remains public.
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Scientific TLDR
A very short AI-generated summary helping discover a publication on Semantic Scholar. It differs from the authors’ abstract and does not replace the text’s methods and results.
Semantic Scholar : uses and checks →
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
UN document symbol
An identifier combining letters and numbers, shared by language versions of a document. It generally does not indicate the subject: retain title, language and date as well.
Nations Unies : uses and checks →
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OpenAlex publication location
A place where a work is available, described in locations. Multiple locations may concern the same study: counting them as independent confirmations would be misleading.
Read primary documentation ↗ · consulted on
ORCID check digit
The identifier’s final calculated character, a digit or X. Its consistency can detect some copying errors; it does not prove record assignment.
Zenodo concept DOI
An identifier grouping an object’s versions and pointing to its latest version. To document the files used, also retain the specific version DOI.
Record-update date
A metadata-change date, distinct from publication or text revision. In OpenAlex, a citation-count change can also update it.
Independent sources
Documents or observations whose evidence does not simply derive from the same repeated report. Several pages based on one release are not several separate confirmations.
Sponsored result
An identified advertising placement in search. It does not establish that the destination is official and is distinct from organic result ranking.
URL host
The server name or IP address in hostname. Names in the path or parameters do not identify that host.
URL user information
An optional part before @ in an address. A familiar name there does not establish that the host belongs to that organisation.
URL fragment
The part introduced by #, used for a section or by an application. It does not establish page identity.
CSV formula injection
Formula interpretation of a cell from an untrusted field. Protections depend on spreadsheet software and intended use; escaping is not a universal guarantee.
Evaluation scope
The pages, states and journeys examined. An automated result applies to that scope; it does not cover every human check.
Third-party connection
A link between an account and another service for sign-in or data sharing. Identify type and scope before removing authorisation.
Access revocation
Removal of a sign-in or access authorisation. Do not assume it erases data already received by the third party.
Account deactivation
An action whose effects and reversibility depend on the service. Read stated differences from deletion before deciding.
Receipt acknowledgement
A document or message acknowledging receipt in the relevant procedure. Read its content; it is not automatically a favourable decision.
Operating carrier
The operator carrying out a journey segment. It can differ from the ticket seller; identify it when checking conditions.
Compared total price
An amount for a defined need and period including necessary options and charges. Keep assumptions to compare equivalent offers.
Test protocol
A description of a test’s models, conditions, measurements and criteria. It explains the scope of a score or ranking.
Weighting
The contribution assigned to a criterion in a summary or score. Read published weights; similar overall scores can describe different profiles.
Search log
A record of databases, queries, filters, dates and selection decisions. It explains a search and its limits without guaranteeing completeness.
Sporting season
A period designated by the competition organiser. It need not match a calendar year; check its label, category and discipline.
PMID
An identifier for a PubMed record. It locates a biomedical reference without guaranteeing free full text or valid results.
Crossmark
A service displaying publisher-reported status, including corrections and retractions. Its presence does not guarantee quality.
Correction notice
A document reporting a publication change. Read its scope and keep its reference alongside the affected article.
Retraction
A notice withdrawing a publication from use as a valid scientific result. Describe status and reason according to the notice without adding accusations.
HTTP 301 redirect
A response indicating a permanent move to another address. It describes a technical link, not proof of publisher continuity.
HTTP 403 response
Access refused for the observed request. Automated restrictions or server configuration can explain it; it does not prove a site has closed.
Dated version address
A link locating a specific edition. Keep it alongside the latest-version address when you need both citation and change tracking.
Working Draft
A published draft in the W3C standards process. Publication does not make it a Recommendation; check status, date and subsequent changes.
W3C Recommendation
A W3C standard status distinct from drafts and notes. Document status and browser implementation require separate checks.
Citation timestamp
A locator for an audio or video passage. Associate it with a specific episode and check context; different editions may be edited differently.
Data edition
The year or edition associated with data. It may differ from publication year and the date you access the interface.
Mastodon server
The server hosting a Mastodon account. It is part of the profile’s identity; keep the full address and read its rules.
DOI
An identifier for a documentary object. It helps find a record; it does not validate the document’s conclusions.
ORCID iD
An identifier for a person in research. Keep the full address and compare attributed contributions with the publications.
SIREN
Nine digits identifying a legal unit. One unit can have several establishments; preserve that distinction when matching records.
SIRET
Fourteen digits identifying an establishment. Its existence does not authenticate someone contacting you in its name.
Bibliographic record
A description of a document: title, authors, publication and identifiers. A record and abstract are not the full text.
Preprint
A version shared to disseminate a work. Deposit and moderation do not establish scientific peer review.
Document version
The specific state of a document you read. Keep its number, date and file to recover passages and corrections.
Reuse licence
Conditions permitting certain uses of content. Check the particular file’s terms, credits and any modifications.
ODbL
The OpenStreetMap data licence. Reuse obligations and tile-service policies are separate questions.
Public domain
A status to examine by work and territory. A book available in the United States may have different rights elsewhere.
Statistical indicator
A measure defined for a population and period. Compare unit, territory, method and dates before matching two values.
Missing value
An absent or unpublished value. It is not zero; check table codes and available years.
Weather vigilance
Information about dangerous phenomena within an area and period. Read bulletins together with the map and its updates.
Archived screenshot
An image of a page at a past date. It does not establish its current state; an identification graphic is not a screenshot.
Put the distinctions to work
| Situation | Next check |
|---|---|
| A paper has a DOI but only its abstract is visible. | Find the relevant full-text version before interpreting its methods or results. |
| A seller’s SIREN matches a real business. | Check the establishment and contact independently: a copied identifier is possible. |
| A downloadable photograph is marked reusable. | Read its precise licence, creator credit and conditions for your intended use. |
| Two countries have different values for an indicator. | Match definition, unit and year; identify missing data before making the comparison. |
| An uninstalled app remains connected to an account. | Read the connection type and scope in official account settings before removing access. |
| A draft form is saved but submission is unconfirmed. | Check the submission stage and retain the reference supplied by the service. |
| Two products have similar overall test scores. | Compare detailed criteria, weighting and exact models against your needs. |