Co-Marketing Agreements
Part of Co-authored research and content
Assigning responsibility for data verification
In a joint report, “both partners checked it” is not a verification plan.
In a joint report, “both partners checked it” is not a verification plan. Assign a named owner to each source, transformation and public claim. Require a second reviewer for material figures. This allows corrections if a discrepancy appears after publication.
Data Verification Best Practices by Authority
- AAPOR Survey Standards
- Covers design, collection and analysis; requires attention to bias and error
- DOI Data Validation
- Emphasises verification at each stage: collection, processing, reporting
- Temple University Compliance
- Stresses data integrity and documented review processes
- Informatica on Customer Experience
- Links accurate data verification to reliable customer insights
- NHIMG Glossary Definition
- Defines data verification as confirming accuracy and completeness
Build a claim-to-data trail
For every chart or headline number, retain the source file or query, time period, inclusion rules, cleaning steps and calculation. The data owner confirms collection and permission; the analyst confirms processing; the editorial reviewer confirms the claim says no more than the result. These are distinct approvals.
Check units, denominators and missing data. A percentage of survey respondents is not a percentage of the market unless the design supports that inference. AAPOR's survey best-practice guidance covers the design, data collection and analysis of a quality survey, and calls for attention to preventing, measuring and dealing with the problems that can arise. Apply equivalent checkpoints to other data types rather than treating a polished chart as evidence of validity.
Data Verification Process for Co-Marketing Agreements
- Data ProcessingAnalyst applies cleaning steps, inclusion rules and calculations; logs all transformations
- Claim ValidationEditorial reviewer ensures claims match the results (e.g., no overstatement of market share)
- Second ReviewMaterial figures require a second reviewer; discrepancies flagged and resolved
- Final Sign-OffDocumented approval listing claims checked, by whom, and against which data version
Reconcile disagreements visibly
Set a rule for conflicting versions: freeze a dated analysis file, log proposed changes and rerun affected figures. Do not allow either partner to overwrite a shared chart without review. If a result cannot be verified, remove or label it pending resolution. Keep a correction contact and a process for updating both partner channels.
The final sign-off should list which claims were checked, by whom and against which version of the data. That record is useful even when the public report carries only a concise methods note.
Key Verification Steps for Public Claims
- Retain source files or queries for every claimRequired for auditability and transparency
- Verify units, denominators and missing dataEnsure percentages reflect correct bases (e.g., respondents vs. total market)
- Freeze dated analysis files during disputesPrevents overwrite; supports traceability
- Log proposed changes and rerun affected figuresEnsures consistency across reports
- Label or remove unverified resultsUntil resolution is confirmed, avoid misleading public claims
