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> Epistemics > Credentialism > arghXiv:2601.08234

Precision of Numerical Claims Across Successive Restatements

E. Whitlock

Abstract: We traced 40 numerical claims through the exchanges in which they were restated, following each chain back to its earliest recoverable statement. Median precision rose from two significant figures at first restatement to five by the sixth, and in 34 of the 40 chains each increase was accompanied by the attachment of a source. In 23 chains the earliest recoverable statement contained no numeral.

Comments:
14 pages, 2 tables. Chains traced by hand.
Subjects:
Credentialism (epist.CRED) (primary class); Eristics (argu.ER); Terminology and Definition (disc.LEX)
TDC classes:
6.07
Cite as:
arghXiv:2601.08234v1 (BibTeX)
Submission history:
From: E. Whitlock [view email]
[v1] Tue, 27 Jan 2026