Conflicting Sources Reconciliation Note

Conflicting sources reconciliation note is a compact record explaining how a writer handled sources that disagree, appear to use different definitions, or describe different time windows.

Conflicting sources are not automatically a problem. They often reveal that a question is underspecified. One source may measure monthly active users while another measures registered accounts. One policy page may show the current rule while an older help article remains indexed. One report may discuss global availability while another discusses one country. The conflict becomes dangerous only when a summary flattens them into one confident sentence.

A reconciliation note should record four things. First, the exact conflict: number, date, definition, scope, eligibility, method, or interpretation. Second, source hierarchy: primary source, official docs, dataset, expert analysis, news report, community report, or personal observation. Third, time context: which source is newer and whether newer actually means better for the claim. Fourth, chosen wording: how the final sentence avoids pretending the conflict disappeared.

A practical example: instead of writing “the feature is available,” write “the official rollout page lists the feature for eligible paid accounts, while user reports suggest some regions still lack access.” That sentence preserves conflict without making the article unreadable. Another example: instead of averaging two incompatible numbers, explain the different denominator.

The rule of thumb is simple. When sources conflict, do not hide the conflict unless it is clearly resolved. Either narrow the claim, identify the stronger source, or state the disagreement as part of the record. A visible reconciliation note is usually better than a polished but brittle conclusion.

Conflicting Sources Reconciliation Note

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