Editorial Policy

Our Editorial Mission

bedtimecalc.net publishes educational content about sleep science, sleep health, and evidence-based sleep optimization. Our editorial mission is simple: provide accurate, current, well-sourced information that helps real people make better sleep decisions.

We do not publish content to generate advertising revenue, sell supplements, or promote products. Our content is not written to rank for keywords at the expense of accuracy. When a topic is contested in the literature, we say so. When we do not know, we say that too.

How We Research Content

Every article or guide published on bedtimecalc.net begins with a literature review phase, not a keyword research phase. Our research process:

1. Primary source identification: We identify the authoritative primary sources for the topic — typically CDC or NHS guidance, AASM clinical practice guidelines, or peer-reviewed research indexed on PubMed. We consult primary sources directly, not summaries or secondary coverage.
2. Consensus identification: We determine whether a scientific or clinical consensus exists. Where evidence is strong and consistent, we report the consensus. Where evidence is mixed or emerging, we represent that nuance.
3. Claim verification: Each factual claim in our content is mapped to a specific source. We do not use approximate citations. Claims that cannot be verified against a primary source are removed.
4. Calculator accuracy: Our sleep calculators are built on established sleep cycle mathematics — specifically, 90-minute average cycle duration and 14-minute average sleep onset latency, as reported in Sleep Research Society publications. These values are individual population averages; we note this distinction clearly.

Sources We Cite

We rely on the following tiers of sources, in descending order of authority:

Tier 1 — Government and Clinical Guidelines

• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) — sleep duration recommendations, data on sleep insufficiency prevalence
• NHS (National Health Service, UK) — clinical sleep guidance, sleep hygiene, insomnia management
• NIH (National Institutes of Health) — research funding, MedlinePlus clinical summaries
• AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) — clinical practice guidelines, diagnostic criteria for sleep disorders, ICSD classifications

Tier 2 — Research Organizations

• Sleep Foundation — physician-reviewed sleep health education
• National Sleep Foundation — Sleep in America polls, consensus sleep time recommendations
• Sleep Research Society — professional research organization, Sleep journal

Tier 3 — Peer-Reviewed Research

• PubMed-indexed journals — original research studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We preferentially cite reviews and meta-analyses over single studies.
• Journals we commonly cite: Sleep, Journal of Sleep Research, SLEEP Advances, Chronobiology International, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine

Sources We Do Not Use

• Wikipedia as a primary source
• Other health or wellness blogs without original research
• Supplement company research or industry-funded studies without independent replication
• Social media, forums, or anecdotal reports presented as evidence

Writing Standards

Our writers are expected to:

• Read the primary sources they cite, not secondary coverage of those sources
• Distinguish between correlation and causation in research findings
• Note sample sizes and populations when reporting study findings
• Use appropriately hedged language when evidence is preliminary ("research suggests," "studies indicate") versus established consensus ("the CDC recommends")
• Avoid sensationalism — we do not dramatize sleep risks to generate clicks
• Provide actionable information where evidence supports it

Medical Review Process

bedtimecalc.net content is not written or reviewed by licensed physicians. We are an educational resource, not a clinical service. Our content is reviewed internally against primary sources, but it does not undergo formal medical peer review.

This limitation is why we:

• Consistently recommend consulting healthcare professionals for individual health concerns
• Do not diagnose, treat, or provide personalized medical recommendations
• Clearly distinguish between population-average recommendations and individual needs
• Link to clinical resources (NHS, CDC, AASM) for conditions requiring professional care

If you are a qualified sleep physician, researcher, or clinician who identifies an error or misrepresentation in our content, we actively welcome your input. Please email guptaaryan583@gmail.com.

Update and Review Schedule

Sleep science evolves. Content on bedtimecalc.net is reviewed and updated on the following schedule:

• Calculator logic: Reviewed whenever major guideline updates are published by CDC, NHS, or AASM.
• Core articles: Reviewed at minimum annually; sooner if major new guidelines or significant research changes the consensus.
• Supporting content: Reviewed every 18–24 months.

All articles display a "Last updated" date so readers know when content was last reviewed.

Error Correction Policy

We take accuracy seriously and correct errors promptly when they are identified.

How to report an error

Email guptaaryan583@gmail.com with:

• The URL of the page containing the error
• The specific claim or number you believe is incorrect
• The correct information and its source (optional but helpful)

Our response process

1. We acknowledge receipt within 48 hours (business days).
2. We verify the claim against primary sources.
3. If an error is confirmed, we correct the content and update the "Last updated" date.
4. For significant factual errors, we add a correction notice at the bottom of the article noting what was changed and when.
5. We reply to the person who reported the error with the outcome.

Typographical errors are corrected silently. Factual errors — especially those that could affect health decisions — receive a visible correction note.

Advertising and Sponsorship Policy

bedtimecalc.net does not run display advertising. We do not accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid product placements. We do not accept payment to recommend specific products, supplements, or services.

If this policy ever changes, we will disclose it prominently on this page and on any sponsored content.

Corrections and Feedback

We welcome corrections, suggestions for new topics, and general feedback. Every email we receive is read.

Contact: guptaaryan583@gmail.com