The RMP Evidence Model
How RMP turns observations into validated, inspectable, and portable capability claims.
RMP preserves the distinction between what happened, what was calculated, what was inferred, what was validated, and what can legitimately be claimed.
The evidence chain
| Stage | Meaning | Required discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Observe | Record what directly occurred. | Observation does not imply interpretation. |
| Time | Place relevant events on a common temporal framework. | Preserve sequence and synchronization uncertainty when material. |
| Derive | Calculate features from observations. | Identify source observations and calculation method. |
| Infer | Estimate a construct that was not directly observed. | Label the result as an inference and expose model provenance. |
| Validate | Establish fitness for the intended use. | Validation is required before meaningful consequence. |
| Prove | Produce an evidence-supported capability claim. | Prefer valid performance evidence. |
| Port | Package evidence for inspection and exchange. | Preserve provenance, rights, version, and verification data. |
Evidence and epistemic classes
Evidence strength and claim type answer different questions. RMP records both.
Evidence classes range from E1 Established through E4 Experimental. E4 evidence may support governed research, but it must not independently determine a high-stakes outcome.
Epistemic classes identify a claim as an Observation, Derived measure, Inference, Prediction, or Causal claim. A system must not quietly transform one class into another.
Proof modes
- Practice mode — assistance may be freely available.
- Scaffolded proof — assistance is available and fully recorded.
- Independent proof — no material assistance is available.
- Delayed proof — capability is retested after time has elapsed.
- Transfer proof — capability is tested under meaningfully new conditions.
Help is not inherently bad. Hidden help attribution is.
Evidence of evidence
Every meaningful assertion should permit inspection of its source, method, date, task, scoring process, assistance condition, validation, and uncertainty. Credibility comes from the path to the claim—not the confidence of the label.