Claim State Boundary

This template defines a grounding boundary for evidence handling in which claim states remain visibly distinct throughout the analysis lifecycle. Source evidence is separated from observed and reproduced results, which in turn support grounded or qualified claims without collapsing into publication-ready conclusions. Provenance is retained at each step so that analyst review can mark a state as approved, challenge the evidence with alternatives, or leave it unresolved without losing traceability. The model also accommodates other valid states, including inferred and rejected claims, to prevent overstatement and preserve epistemic discipline. By making the boundary between evidence, interpretation, and publication explicit, the schema supports reliable review, defensible inference, and clear human accountability.