Reviewed.com Ethics and Independence Pledge

Ethics
To produce reviews that are in the interest of consumers and based on the merits of a product alone, we must create an environment for our editors that is free of inappropriate influences and bias. We achieve this by following strict ethical guidelines for all of our operations. These guidelines specify how we may interact with the companies we cover. Under these guidelines, our business advertising and editorial functions are separated. We follow a zero contact policy between our advertising and editorial departments, banning each department from having any interaction with the other. In addition there are requirements for disclosure of any possible influences for all people involved in editorial.

High Standards of Journalism
Our reviews are supplemented through news coverage and additional non review based information about the products we cover. This information must be gathered according to accepted journalistic practices. These policies direct the ways we source information in our news pieces. We have a strict requirement that any information provided by a company must be properly sourced and put into context. We never publish press releases word for word and any news piece that is based on a press release must be put in the proper context. We also strive to produce journalistic pieces that are proactively investigated, rather than relying solely on reacting to press releases.

Scientific Reviewing
We, at Reviewed.com believe that science can be used to analyze the performance of products for more conclusive and informed results. Whenever possible, we use standardized testing by collaborating with scientists in industry to develop our methods so that a review can be based on the merits of a product alone. Our belief is that these science driven tests are better than just simple subjective human observations;  we strive to use such testing as much as possible in our reviews. In addition, we use computer and non-human scoring methods to reduce error bias which is common in analyzing performance. In using this scientific methodology for our testing, we are able to get empirical data on the performance of products. Our tests are designed to be repeatable, reliable, and free of bias.

Precedent Based Subjective Analysis
For those areas of a product that cannot be simply analyzed with a test, our expert reviewers and editors use a comparative method of analysis. Every section that is analyzed using human observation instead of scientific testing is done so by comparing that product to other products on the market. The scores that are produced in these subjective sections are precedent scores, based on the scores of previous products.

Standardized Methods
All products that are reviewed on Reviewed.com publications are done so in a standardized method. We do this by employing a review rubric that combines the scientifically tested scores with the subjective scores and to come up with a cumulative product score. This standard is applied to every product which is reviewed on a Reviewed.com, so that all products may get a fair and equal treatment.

Comparative Reviewing
By standardizing every review we create reviews that can be cross compared. At our core, we want to align ourselves with the tendency of shoppers to compare within a price range when looking for a product. Our reviews are designed to allow consumers to compare any group of models, no matter how different their feature set may be. Additionally, our scores are designed to have a long lifetime, meaning products scored at the beginning of a year can be compared to products scored at the end of the year. When rubrics are not changed, products from one year can be compared to products from another year. We believe this comparative reviewing is the most helpful way to enable consumers.

The Infinite Score
It is our belief that no one can define "the best" or "perfect 10" product. Products can always be improved, refined and designed in a way that fits the needs of consumers better. We believe it would be presumptuous to say that we know what the perfect product is. Because of this, all of our tests are designed to be open ended; we don't pick a particular point of performance and decide it is the best that can be achieved. 

Knowledgeable Editors
To produce these high-value reviews, we find the most knowledgeable and passionate individuals to execute our review mission. We seek out editors who have experience working with the products they cover. These individuals must be capable of removing their own bias for specific products and analyze products for the different needs of our diverse readership. We encourage these individuals to further their knowledge and growth within their area of expertise through learning and professional development.

Skepticism and Questioning
We encourage our editors in all aspects of their job to be constantly skeptical. The best reviews are created when an editor doesn't just accept the words right out of a marketer's mouth; but investigates the legitimacy of any claims that are made. We also encourage the questioning of our own methods. This questioning forces us to constantly improve and find better methods for reviewing.

Niche Publications
We believe that the best way to deliver our reviews and information to consumers is through the creation of specialized niche publications that are highly focused on one product area. These individual publications allow editors to develop highly specialized knowledge so that they may deliver the most informed and timely information possible to readers.