How to cite the SFR framework formally.
This document defines how to cite SFR v0.9 Draft in different document types: research papers, procurement documents, technical reports, and policy documents. It defines reference formatting, document-level citations, and version references. The framework's current status as a proposed standard should be accurately represented in any citation.
The Simulation Fidelity Rating framework is a proposed standard at version 0.9 Draft (June 2026). It is not a peer-reviewed publication and has not been ratified by a named governance authority. Citations should accurately represent this status. The URL of the framework website should be included as the primary reference location until a formal publication record is established.
Every citation of SFR should include three identifying elements: the framework name, the version designation, and the revision date. Omitting the version designation creates ambiguity, since the framework is in active development and subsequent versions may differ from the version being cited.
Always cite the specific version: "SFR v0.9 Draft, June 2026" — not "the SFR framework" without version qualification.
Use this citation when referencing the framework as a whole or when citing the governance structure.
Use this format when describing classification in a methods section. The parenthetical should match the entry in the references section.
When citing a specific term definition, reference the Canonical Definitions document specifically, not just the general framework.
This language references the framework neutrally without endorsing any specific system. The SFR classification provides the evaluation criterion; the RFP process provides the mechanism for demonstrating it.
Technical evaluation reports should identify the framework version in the report header so that readers can locate the specific version of the criteria that were applied.
Policy documents that reference a proposed standard should include a review trigger that prompts re-evaluation when the standard advances to ratification.
When citing a specific document within the SFR framework, identify the document by name, classification, version, and URL.
| Document | Classification | Citation Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Governance Framework | Normative | SFR Governance Framework, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| Canonical Definitions | Normative | SFR Canonical Definitions, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| In-the-Loop Standard | Normative | SFR In-the-Loop Standard, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| Reference Test Methodology | Normative | SFR Reference Test Methodology, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| Evaluation Inputs | Normative | SFR Evaluation Inputs, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| Evaluation Process | Normative | SFR Evaluation Process, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| System Classification | Normative | SFR System Classification, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| Medical Risk Framework | Informative | SFR Medical Risk Framework, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
| Neurological Reserve | Informative | SFR Neurological Reserve and Compensation Demand, v0.9 Draft, June 2026 |
When the SFR framework advances to later versions, citations should remain specific to the version that was actually used. Do not retroactively update citations to refer to a later version unless the later version's criteria were actually applied in the work being cited.
| Version Reference Format | When to Use |
|---|---|
| SFR v0.9 Draft | Citing work conducted against the June 2026 draft. The current version at time of publication. |
| SFR v1.0 Proposed Standard | For use when v1.0 is published. Do not use until the version is formally released. |
| SFR v1.0 Ratified Standard | For use only after formal ratification. Will require a named governance authority. |
| SFR (version unspecified) | Not recommended. Always specify the version to ensure reproducibility and interpretability. |
Version specificity in citations is not a formality. A framework in active development may change between versions. A citation that specifies the version is reproducible; one that does not is ambiguous.
The SFR framework is available for reference and citation at its current proposed standard status. Organizations that cite SFR in procurement documents, research, or policy today are working with a framework in active development. Accurate citation practice — identifying the version, acknowledging the proposed standard status, and including a review trigger where appropriate — ensures that the work remains interpretable and updatable as the framework advances.