How to evaluate white papers?

To evaluate white papers effectively, different experts in the field have various approaches:

1. Subject Matter Expertise: Olaf Carlson-Wee recommends that only those who consider themselves subject matter experts in fields like consensus mechanisms and cryptography should evaluate white papers. Without this expertise, it can be challenging to accurately assess the underlying technologies and economic models presented in the paper 1.

2. Evaluation Criteria: According to Jonathan Frankle, reviewing papers requires a clear set of criteria. For technical or engineering papers, the focus should be on the improvement the paper brings, the novelty and non-obviousness of the technique, and how straightforward the implementation is. For scientific papers, the evaluation should center around the hypothesis, background, methods to test the hypothesis, and the significance of the findings 2.

3. Detailed Analysis: Andreas Stuhlmüller suggests breaking down the paper into smaller, manageable tasks. This involves identifying key parts of the paper, such as results, study populations, and limitations, and directly linking these pieces back to the source. This method allows evaluators to verify information without having to read the entire paper, making it easier to spot errors and assess validity 3.

   • 

     1

     Evaluating White Papers

     00:12:01
   • 

     2

     Rethinking Review Criteria

     00:47:33
   • 

     3

     Evaluating Model Performance

     00:44:09
     
   • 

     4

     Evaluating White Papers

     00:22:10

4. Efficiency of Presentation: Adam Goldberg discusses the transition from traditional business plans to executive summaries and decks. He emphasizes that while white papers are essential, having a more accessible entry point like a deck for investors, employees, and partners is becoming increasingly important. He also highlights the need for detailed financial plans and realistic funding models, predicting a shift away from relying solely on token reserves 4.

Evaluating white papers involves a mix of technical knowledge, structured criteria, efficient presentation, and breaking down complex documents into more accessible parts. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough and accurate assessment of the paper’s quality and potential impact.