Define the question
Start with the exact measure, decision or event. Record the jurisdiction, dates, people affected and the question the research will answer. Keep a question open when the evidence is not yet sufficient.
Show the source. Show the uncertainty. Record the review.
Our research unit builds traceable records about public decisions, legislation and democratic reform. A documented process lets another person check each claim and see what remains unresolved.
Anyone can explore public research and join the open research participation space by registering as a volunteer researcher. No membership fee or prior screening is needed to contribute questions and public sources. Access to confidential internal projects remains separately controlled, and publication requires review.
THE METHOD
From research question to release
Collect the original record
Use legislation, official proceedings, court decisions, government records and other primary material where available. Record the title, date, issuing body, direct link and precise page or passage for every source.
Separate claim from proof
Label each item as a verified fact, attributed allegation, opinion, legal proposition, inference or open question. Note the evidence supporting it, material that challenges it and any gap in the record.
Request independent review
A second reviewer checks citations, dates, context, competing explanations and corrections. A returned item stays open for revision. The internal audit trail records decisions rather than hiding prior versions.
Control release
Only material cleared for release belongs on a public page. Research intended for legal counsel requires separate authorization and a defined handoff; CDDA research does not itself create legal representation or a legal opinion.
CURRENT STATUS
What is active now
- Volunteer and leadership applications can be submitted for review.
- Approved roles can use a protected workspace to create projects, register sources, draft evidence and request review.
- Research projects begin when an authorized contributor creates them; a sample record is never presented as a finding.
PARTICIPATE
Ways to contribute
Anyone registered for General or Constitutional research can use the open contribution space without prior approval. The roles below concern confidential internal projects and require an administrator’s appointment and checks.
Research contributor
Locate and index original sources, build timelines and prepare clearly attributed drafts.
Independent reviewer
Check exact citations and contrary material, document corrections and record a reasoned decision.
Regional coordinator
Identify local questions, prevent duplicate work and connect approved contributors with the relevant project.
What to send us
The public volunteer application is for experience and areas of interest. Do not put confidential case files, privileged legal communications or sensitive personal information in it. A separate legal partner and controlled document process would be needed for those materials.