Building a Source Registry

Professional researchers do not start from zero every time they investigate a topic. They maintain a source registry — a curated catalog of sources organized by domain, tier, and track record. The registry is the compound interest of research: every project adds sources that make the next project faster and more reliable.

The structure is straightforward. For each domain you research regularly, maintain a list of sources ranked by tier, annotated with notes on their strengths, weaknesses, and known biases. When you discover a source that consistently provides accurate, timely information, promote it. When a source burns you with inaccurate claims, demote or remove it. Over time, the registry becomes a personalized map of where reliable information lives for the topics you care about.

1. Catalog by Domain Organize sources by the topics they cover, not by source type. You want to answer "where do I go for reliable information about X?" not "what SEC filings exist?" The domain organization ensures you have coverage across the topics you research most.
2. Annotate Track Record For each source, maintain a running note on accuracy. Has this source been correct in past assessments? Have they missed major developments? Have they published retractions? Track record is the empirical measure of reliability that supplements the theoretical tier classification.
3. Review Quarterly Sources change. Journalists move. Analysts change firms. Publications shift editorial direction. Quarterly review ensures your registry reflects current reality. Remove dead links, update contact information, and reassess tier classifications based on recent performance.