RESEARCH METHODS / 10

Use baselines and denominators

Counts require sample scope, a baseline and scoring rules.

About 3 min
Study notes & citation

Use baselines and denominators. Institute of Chinese Mantic Arts. https://www.manticarts.com/en/handbook/baselines

01

Research focus

Define the observation unit and denominator. Repeated records, repeated interpretations and multiple outcomes are not automatically independent.

02

Procedure and example

Choose a defensible baseline before examining results, such as a fixed rule or judgment with equal information. Small samples support exercises, not stable probability promises.

03

Output and review

Deliver counts, missingness, baseline and uncertainty. Formal inference should be designed and reviewed by appropriately trained researchers.

Resources and methodological references

The procedures and exercises are editorial teaching suggestions. These resources provide textual, collection or open-research access; links imply no affiliation or endorsement.

Chinese Text Project · Introduction ↗
Resource information for text search and locating words and editions.

International Dunhuang Programme ↗
Manuscript collections, images and catalogue access.

Editorial study material · 2026-09-28