EVIDENCE INTERPRETATION

Interpretation Principles

A transparent framework for distinguishing credible scientific findings from overinterpretation in canine healthy-aging and geronutrition research.

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WHY THIS PAGE MATTERS

Credibility Begins With How Evidence Is Interpreted

This page is essential to CGI’s credibility and should be published before any product-related study interpretation.

CGI uses these principles to separate observation from conclusion, identify the boundaries of a study, and communicate what a result does — and does not — establish.

SEVEN INTERPRETATION PRINCIPLES

Rules for Responsible Scientific Communication

These principles define the minimum interpretive discipline CGI applies when discussing biomarkers, omics data, controlled studies, and nutrition-related healthy-aging evidence.

02
PRINCIPLE 2

Association Is Not Causation

Microbiome taxa, metabolites, proteins, and pathways may be associated with an intervention without proving a direct causal mechanism.

03
PRINCIPLE 3

Statistical Significance Is Not the Same as Biological Importance

A significant result may be small, context-specific, or vulnerable to multiple-testing effects.

04
PRINCIPLE 4

Study Population Defines the Evidence Boundary

Results from one breed, sex, age group, colony, or health status should not automatically be generalized to all dogs.

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PRINCIPLE 5

Endpoint Hierarchy Matters

Functional outcomes, clinical observations, imaging, blood biomarkers, microbiome findings, metabolomics, and exploratory omics provide different types and levels of evidence.

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PRINCIPLE 6

One Study Is Not Definitive

Controlled feeding research may provide proof of concept, but replication, larger populations, household-dog studies, and peer review increase confidence.

EVIDENCE-STATUS LABELS

Make the Status of Evidence Visible

CGI should label evidence status explicitly so readers can distinguish established biology, study observations, exploratory findings, planned work, review status, and the need for replication.

Established Biology
Controlled Study Observation
Exploratory Finding
Hypothesis-Generating
Planned Research
Not Yet Peer Reviewed
Peer Reviewed
Requires Replication

These labels are not a single linear ranking. They describe different aspects of evidence status, including maturity, study context, publication status, and reproducibility.

BEFORE INTERPRETING A RESULT

Five Questions CGI Should Ask

01

What Was Measured?

Define the endpoint before interpreting its meaning.

02

In Which Dogs?

Breed, age, sex, health status, and study environment define the boundary.

03

How Large Was the Effect?

Statistical significance alone does not establish practical biological importance.

04

What Is the Evidence Status?

State whether the finding is controlled, exploratory, peer reviewed, or still planned.

05

What Remains Uncertain?

Limitations and replication needs should remain visible alongside the result.

CGI SCIENTIFIC STANDARD

Strong Scientific Communication Includes Its Own Limits

CGI’s objective is not to make every finding sound stronger. It is to communicate evidence at the level the study can reasonably support.

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