How to use the inventory well

Checking an item should mean more than recalling that an achievement exists. Ask whether you can trace the claim to a primary source, date it precisely, explain your role, preserve independent context, and identify evidence of significance.

For a publication

Preserve the DOI or publisher record, full author list, publication date, venue context, citation snapshots by date, and evidence that distinguishes independent citations from self-citations where relevant.

For judging activity

Preserve the invitation, acceptance, completed-review confirmation, journal or conference context, dates, and enough information to show what work was actually performed without disclosing confidential manuscript content.

For a patent or technical contribution

Preserve the patent or product record, your specific contribution, adoption or usage evidence, independent validation, dates, and the organizations or users affected by the work.

Primary reference points