Editorial policy
Spectrane is a trade publication covering chemistry, process analytics, instrumentation, and the markets and regulation that move them - not a marketing channel. This page explains how we source facts, handle conflicts of interest, build comparative guides, run our shorter news-flash format, and correct mistakes.
Article types
Spectrane publishes two article types. Each is governed by the same sourcing standards; they differ only in length and depth.
- Standard articles - explainers, buyer's guides, field notes, how-to guides, and substantive news pieces. 600-1800 words. Multiple primary sources cited. Comparative claims show methodology. This is the bulk of what we publish.
- News flashes - shorter pieces (200-400 words) for fast pickup of markets, regulation, and corporate news where the underlying event has a single canonical primary source (an earnings release, a regulatory filing, a press release). Flashes link to the primary source, note the date and the issuer, and add only context that is itself verifiable. They are not opinion pieces.
Sourcing
Every factual claim in a Spectrane article is sourced. Acceptable primary sources include:
- peer-reviewed publications (cited by DOI);
- vendor press releases, datasheets, and product pages (linked at the date of consultation);
- regulatory documents (FDA, EMA, EPA, ECHA, equivalent national regulators);
- standards bodies (ISO, ASTM, IEC, USP, Ph. Eur.);
- conference proceedings and presentations (with date and event);
- on-the-record interviews (named source, attributed quote).
Anonymous sources are permitted only where attribution would expose the source to retaliation and the information cannot be obtained on the record. The reason for anonymity is stated in the article.
Buyer's guides and rankings
Every Spectrane comparative article publishes its methodology. The methodology section names:
- the criteria used to evaluate;
- the data sources for each criterion (datasheet, peer-reviewed validation, vendor response, hands-on test);
- the weighting used to combine criteria, where applicable;
- which products were considered and which were excluded, with reasons.
We do not accept payment for inclusion, placement, or favorable coverage. Vendors are not shown drafts before publication. Vendors are given the opportunity to fact-check the technical specifications attributed to their products before publication; their feedback is reviewed but not necessarily incorporated.
Publisher and conflicts of interest
Spectrane is published by JW Marketing, an independent communications firm covering process analytics, industrial chemistry, and adjacent sectors. JW Marketing's commercial activities are kept separate from Spectrane's editorial decisions: editorial does not see JW Marketing's commercial calendar, commercial activities do not see editorial drafts, and the named editor on each article is accountable for the content.
Where a direct material conflict between a JW Marketing commercial relationship and Spectrane editorial coverage arises, that conflict is disclosed in the article in question. Authors and editors additionally disclose personal financial interests (equity, consulting income, employment history) in any company covered. Where a conflict is material, the author does not write the article; where the conflict is incidental, it is disclosed in the byline.
Corrections
When an error is identified, Spectrane corrects the article promptly and notes the correction at the bottom of the piece, with the date and the substance of the correction. Significant corrections - those that change the meaning of the article - are also announced on the homepage for 24 hours.
To request a correction, write to contact@spectrane.com with the URL of the article, the specific claim, and the source supporting the correction.
AI-assisted production
Spectrane uses AI tools to assist with research aggregation, draft generation, and copy-editing. Every article is reviewed by a human editor before publication, and every factual claim is verified against a primary source by a human. AI does not select sources, set editorial direction, or make publication decisions.
Fair use and licensing
Quotation of Spectrane articles under fair use is welcomed with attribution and a link to the source page. Glossary entries and technical definitions are licensed under CC-BY-4.0. Article text is © Spectrane unless otherwise noted.