EXPLAINER / WORKFLOWS
Update a research brief
without losing its history.
Use the original three-country World Bank comparison to see how a recurring workflow can track new periods, revised figures and changes to the research method.
THE BASELINE
Retain the original data before refreshing it.
The 18 October brief used three World Bank indicators for 2024: GDP per capita, real GDP growth and modelled unemployment. Its evidence file records the country codes, indicator identifiers, values and capture date.
A later request may return a revised figure for 2024, a new year or both. Keep the original file so the next report can explain the difference.
Inspect the baseline and download its evidenceTHE REFRESH PROTOCOL
Decide what to keep and what to change.
| Choice | Repeat the same comparison | Extend the analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Country set | Keep Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. | Record added or removed countries and any missing coverage. |
| Measure definitions | Keep the same WDI indicator identifiers. | Treat a replacement indicator as a changed method. |
| Period | Re-retrieve the fixed year to inspect revisions. | Select a later common year and label the new comparison. |
| Numeric treatment | Retain source precision and round only for display. | Document new calculations and their units. |
| Interpretation | Reassess the same findings against the new evidence. | Add a commercial question only when its required evidence is included. |
TWO DIFFERENT CHANGES
Distinguish a revision from a new period.
Compare the new response with the saved file. A different value for the same indicator, country and year is a revision. An observation for another year extends the series.
Include the observation period and retrieval date in the report. A newly generated report may still describe the same historical year.
FROM METHOD TO WORKFLOW
Put the refresh method into the workflow.
Keep the selected inputs and report structure in the workflow. Configure how it retrieves sources, compares them with the previous result and reports changes. Each run then produces its own dated record.
Read about scheduled analytical workAPPLICATION CONTEXT
Use this component within a wider application.
A refresh protocol defines how evidence changes between runs. To use it in an enterprise application, design how the new run affects the working view, prior issued results and notifications. Those application rules and system connections are extensions around the Evidence OS workflow.
See the platform extension model