Ranking & Methodology · Part 2
Methodology
Every ranking sits under two documents. The category methodology is the standing framework for its category; the article-specific methodology is the exact recipe for that one list. You should be able to move from any ranking to both.
The two layers, side by side
| Category methodology | Article-specific methodology | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The standing evaluation framework for one of our four categories. | The precise recipe used for one particular Top Ten list. |
| Typical contents | Eligibility principles, evaluation dimensions, source types, verification standards. | Candidate pool, criteria and weights, data period, sources used, limitations of this list. |
| Where it lives | One methodology page per category — linked below. | Inside every ranking article, in its own section. |
| How often it changes | Reviewed at least yearly; versioned. | Fixed to that article; superseded when the article is updated. |
Across our four categories
The same two-layer structure applies in every category. The category framework answers the general question; each article answers the specific one.
Food & Dining
Read the Food & Dining methodology →Category methodology answers
How we judge places to eat in general — hygiene signals, value within a price class, consistency across visits.
Article-specific methodology answers
“Exactly how was Top 10 Cafés in Ipoh built — which cafés were considered, on what criteria, visited when?”
Travel & Hotels
Read the Travel & Hotels methodology →Category methodology answers
How we judge attractions, hotels and stays — access, upkeep, safety, MOTAC licensing, value at that class.
Article-specific methodology answers
“Exactly how was Top 10 Islands in Malaysia built — which islands, judged on what, verified when?”
Lifestyle
Read the Lifestyle methodology →Category methodology answers
How we judge wellness, beauty and fitness services — licensing first, then transparency, service quality and value.
Article-specific methodology answers
“Exactly how was Top 10 Spas in Kuala Lumpur built — which spas qualified, scored on what dimensions?”
Business & Industry
Read the Business & Industry methodology →Category methodology answers
How we judge companies and manufacturers — filings, registries and certifications outrank marketing.
Article-specific methodology answers
“Exactly how was Top 10 Bursa Malaysia Companies by Market Capitalisation built — whose data, captured on which date?”
What every article-specific methodology must state
- The candidate pool — how many entities were considered, and how they were found.
- The criteria and their weights — which evaluation dimensions applied to this list, and how they were weighted. Weights are declared per article, because different questions justify different weights.
- The data period — when the research, visits or data capture happened.
- The sources used — the actual sources behind this list, following our source hierarchy.
- The limitations of this list — what this ranking cannot claim.
The four category methodologies
Next: Part 3 — Source & Verification →
Our source hierarchy, verification standards, update and corrections process, and commercial independence.