deHype terminology
Source chain
The path from a public claim back through media, press release and original evidence.
What it means
Definition
Source chain. The source chain is central to deHype. It identifies whether a headline is based on a paper, press release, conference abstract, preprint, expert comment or another media story.
What it can tell you
It can help explain why a report is cautious even when the underlying study is real.
What it cannot tell you
It cannot replace reading the source evidence, methods and limitations.
Headline trap
Why this matters in headlines
A weak source chain may reveal that a confident headline rests on a press release rather than a robust study.