What is conflict review?

Definition

A conflict reviewer compares contradictory evidence and asks whether the disagreement comes from different definitions, dates, samples, methods, incentives, errors, or genuinely unresolved findings. It should not resolve conflict merely by counting sources.

The outcome can revise the claim, narrow its scope, lower confidence, favor stronger evidence with reasons, or preserve the disagreement in the final report. The decision and supporting source locations remain auditable.

ELI5

Conflict review checks what happens when trustworthy sources disagree. Instead of quietly choosing one, the reviewer examines why the results differ and whether the conclusion needs to become narrower or less certain.

For example, two studies may report different effects because they tested different groups. The final brief can explain that difference rather than pretending both studies answer exactly the same question.

Acronyms and aliases

evidence conflict review variant

Frequently asked questions

Should a conflict reviewer choose the majority view?

Not automatically. Source independence, methods, relevance, recency, sample quality, and directness matter more than a simple count.

Can a report retain unresolved conflicts?

Yes. Clearly presenting a genuine unresolved disagreement is more accurate than forcing a confident conclusion unsupported by the evidence.

Videos explaining conflict review