ASA scientific records support defined policy, quality, education, and program decisions. Each substantive record identifies the question, review level, sources, authors or reviewers, relevant interests, funding, limitations, approval status, and next review trigger.
Research record types
Evidence brief
A focused assessment of a defined question using a stated search and review method.
Research summary
An explanation of selected external research. It should not imply that ASA conducted or endorses the underlying study.
Scientific statement
An ASA conclusion adopted through the appropriate scientific and governance process.
Methods resource
A document explaining how to assess identity, evidence, safety, claims, quality, or another technical question.
Commissioned work
Research or analysis performed under an ASA-approved protocol and agreement. Funding and investigator independence are disclosed.
Roundtable or proceedings record
A summary of discussion or presentations. It identifies whether views are attributed, synthesized, or adopted by ASA.
Reading the evidence
Readers should consider:
- whether the studied material matches the ingredient or formulation at issue;
- amount, duration, route, and conditions of use;
- population and outcome relevance;
- study design and risk of bias;
- consistency and directness across the evidence;
- practical significance and uncertainty;
- funding and author interests;
- whether the conclusion is ASA’s or the cited source’s.
Methods and peer review
The method should match the consequence of the statement. A rapid evidence scan is labeled as such. Structured and systematic reviews use more extensive protocols. Peer review means that qualified reviewers assessed the work under a defined role; it does not automatically mean publication in an external journal.
Funding and disclosure
Material financial and in-kind support appears on the affected record. Funders do not control methods, suppress selected results, veto a correction, or determine conclusions. Relevant author and reviewer interests are disclosed and managed.
Corrections and updates
New evidence may confirm, qualify, or change a conclusion. ASA records substantive updates, preserves superseded material where needed, and states whether a correction changes the result.
Find ASA scientific work
Before applying a conclusion, review ASA evidence methods.