Classification research / edition 2026.10
Reconstruct the information set
Track release times, observation periods, revised values and reproducible classification versions.
Observation, Release and Decision Times
A historical observation is not automatically historical knowledge. Separate the period measured, public release, usable receipt and decision cutoff before assigning a regime label.
Vintage Data and Revisions
Treat a revision as new information about an existing period. Preserve the earlier estimate, rebuild derived features consistently and separate decision-time classifications from retrospective descriptions.
Release Calendars and Time Zones
A scheduled release is an expectation, not proof of receipt. Preserve calendar versions, explicit time zones and observed publication evidence when ordering a research information set.
Missing, Stale and Late Inputs
Data quality states are not economic regimes. Distinguish absence, age and delayed arrival, then apply a predeclared policy without silently filling gaps with future information.
Versioned Regime Archives
An archive should explain why a label existed at a particular decision time. Preserve data, rules and timing evidence separately so later revisions remain interpretable.