Glossary

Editorial terms we use on this site, explained in one place.

Primary source

The original document where a fact was published: an official release, a technical standard, or an open dataset. It is the reference we cite in every publication.

Secondary source

A text that reports or summarizes a primary source without being the origin of the data. We always prefer to cite the primary source when it is available.

Editorially responsible person

The person who reviews the full material and authorizes its publication, including content assisted by automated tools.

Publication date

The date the primary source originally released the fact.

Verification date

The date we checked the fact against its primary source.

Cutoff date

The point in time up to which a statistical dataset's figures are valid (for example, a figure "as of August 31, 2026").

Editorial status

The review level of a registered source: awaiting (not yet fully verified), verified (checked against the primary source), or approved (authorized for publication). Only approved sources are published.

Illustrative content

A generic or hypothetical example, explicitly marked as such, that does not represent a real person, institution, or case.

Medical disclaimer

The required notice on every health-related page of the site: it is informational and does not replace professional consultation.

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