Evidence & Reasoning Methodology
TGB separates source class, claim confidence, and decision relevance. A source can be authoritative about design intent while remaining insufficient to establish real-world performance.
Evidence classes
| Code | Class | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OBS | Direct observation | Directly observed condition or event with stated limits. |
| MFG | Manufacturer claim | Statement by the manufacturer or designer about a product, mechanism, or performance. |
| PRI | Primary technical documentation | Manual, technical sheet, drawing, specification, or other first-party technical record. |
| PAT | Patent / design evidence | Patent, application, or design drawing establishing disclosed architecture, dimensions, or intent. |
| IND-M | Independent measurement | Measurement produced outside the manufacturer with described method and conditions. |
| IND-R | Independently reproduced result | A result reproduced independently under sufficiently comparable conditions. |
| INF | Inference | Conclusion derived from established facts but not directly measured. |
| HYP | Hypothesis | Testable proposed explanation that remains unverified. |
| UNK | Unresolved | Material fact not presently established. |
Interpretation rules
- Patents are not performance tests. They can establish disclosed geometry, mechanism, and intent; they do not prove production implementation or measured consequence.
- Manufacturer claims remain manufacturer claims unless independently established.
- Geometry and consequence are separate claims. A dimensional change does not automatically establish lower chamber pressure, greater reliability, reduced wear, or greater operating margin.
- Host dependence must be explicit. Ammunition, barrel length, gas-system length, gas-port diameter, suppressor state, buffer/spring, fouling, temperature, and component tolerances can affect dynamic outcomes.
- Unknown remains unknown. TGB does not force a winner when evidence is insufficient.
- Hinge questions take priority. Seek the smallest missing fact that could materially alter the conclusion.
- Terminology must identify the event. Avoid unqualified use of terms such as “dwell” or “delayed unlocking” when several different events may be meant.
Claim confidence
Confidence is assigned to a claim, not to a brand or source.
- High — directly established by strong primary evidence and/or reproducible measurement.
- Moderate — supported by credible evidence but missing an important verification step.
- Low — plausible but dependent on incomplete, indirect, or single-source evidence.
- Unresolved — evidence is insufficient to choose among competing explanations.
Hinge-question method
A hinge question is the smallest missing fact that could materially change a technical conclusion or the next decision. TGB prioritizes those questions over broad collections of specifications or evidence that will not change the decision.