Why tiers exist
ALiF welcomes contributions from other institutions, but the ALiF name has to mean something. The tiers separate self-declared alignment from formal review, so the ecosystem can grow without losing coherence. They are set out in the Architecture Document.
The three tiers
| Tier | Who develops it | Criteria | How it is named | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALiF Core | The core research team | Full alignment with the Standard; validated or formally under validation | ALiF [Name] | Internal core team review, recorded in the registry |
| ALiF Endorsed | External developers | Alignment verified by the core team or a designated Hub; meets the minimum evidence for the tier | ALiF Endorsed [Name] | Core team or Hub review; registry entry required |
| ALiF Referenced | Anyone | Self-declared alignment; no formal review | ALiF Referenced [Name] | Self-certification; Quick Registry form checked for completeness only |
Only Core items may use the ALiF prefix on its own.
Moving between tiers
Instruments and programs can move up. The minimum evidence for instruments is:
| Transition | Evidence required | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Entry at Referenced | Completed Quick Registry form; self-declared alignment with at least one ALiF component | Quick Registry form on file |
| Referenced to Endorsed | Content validity evidence from expert review (content validity index of at least 0.78); pilot data from at least 30 respondents; full registry entry | Full registry entry, pilot data summary, expert review record |
| Endorsed to Core | Confirmatory factor analysis or equivalent psychometric validation; measurement invariance across at least two stakeholder groups; core team authorship or co-authorship | Peer-reviewed publication or preprint; full psychometric report |
The Standard Roadmap planned a more detailed endorsement evidence checklist with psychometric thresholds for each transition. It has not yet been published.
Programs
Programs enter the ecosystem by submitting a profile with alignment metadata (components, roles, learning debt dimensions and instruments used). They are reviewed for the accuracy of their alignment claims, not validated for effectiveness at entry; evidence of effectiveness builds up through use and periodic review.
What tiers do not do
A tier describes the review an item has passed. It is not a guarantee of quality in every setting, and ALiF Hubs cannot create new tiers or change the Standard.