Evidence Standards
IRFE maintains rigorous standards for what constitutes acceptable evidence in our evaluation process, ensuring all distinctions are based on verifiable proof.
Acceptable Evidence Types
Professional Credentials
- Accredited certification documents with verification codes
- Official transcripts from accredited educational institutions
- Professional licenses with current status verification
- Advanced specialty certifications with expiration dates
Achievement Documentation
- Official award certificates from recognized organizations
- Published research papers with DOI or publication details
- Speaking engagement contracts or programs
- Competition results with official rankings
Impact Evidence
- Client testimonials with verifiable contact information
- Before/after assessment data with measurement protocols
- Program outcome studies with statistical analysis
- Industry contribution documentation (books, courses, etc.)
Public vs Private Documentation
Public Documentation
Preferred for transparency and verifiability:
- Published awards and recognitions
- Publicly available research and publications
- Conference presentations and proceedings
- Professional organization memberships and roles
Private Documentation
Accepted when public verification is not possible:
- Client outcome data (with privacy protections)
- Internal company recognitions
- Proprietary research contributions
- Confidential consulting engagements
Verification Steps
Multi-Level Verification Process
- Initial Review: Assess evidence completeness and relevance
- Source Verification: Contact issuing organizations directly
- Authenticity Check: Validate documents and digital signatures
- Context Validation: Ensure evidence supports claimed achievements
- Cross-Reference: Compare with multiple independent sources
Handling Disputed Evidence
Dispute Resolution Process
When evidence validity is questioned:
- Independent investigation by verification team
- Opportunity for candidate to provide additional proof
- Ethics Committee review of disputed claims
- Removal of unverifiable evidence from scoring
- Public disclosure of resolution when appropriate
False Evidence Policy
Intentional submission of false or misleading evidence results in:
- Immediate disqualification from current evaluation
- Potential exclusion from future IRFE processes
- Referral to relevant professional organizations
- Public disclosure of findings