Editorial Policy & Methodology

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Creatine.my is built on a foundation of scientific rigour. Every article, guide, and product review on this site follows a structured editorial process designed to ensure accuracy, transparency, and consistency. This page explains exactly how we research, write, review, and maintain our content so that you can evaluate the trustworthiness of our information for yourself.

We hold ourselves to a simple standard: every factual claim must be supported by evidence from peer-reviewed scientific literature. Opinions and editorial judgements are clearly labelled as such. Where the science is uncertain or evolving, we say so explicitly rather than presenting preliminary findings as established fact.

Research Methodology

Primary Sources

Our content is grounded in primary research from peer-reviewed journals. We draw primarily from the following sources:

• PubMed / MEDLINE: The primary database for biomedical literature. We search for randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to creatine supplementation.
• Cochrane Library: For high-quality systematic reviews that synthesise evidence across multiple studies.
• Sports Nutrition Journals: Including the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN), Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, and the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
• Position Statements: Official position papers from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and similar authoritative bodies.

Evidence Hierarchy

We prioritise evidence in the following order:

1. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews that pool data from multiple studies for stronger conclusions.
2. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with adequate sample sizes and proper methodology.
3. Cohort and observational studies when RCT data is unavailable.
4. Expert consensus and position statements from recognised scientific bodies.
5. Mechanistic studies and animal models clearly labelled as preliminary evidence.

We never cite blog posts, social media content, manufacturer claims, or non-peer-reviewed sources as evidence for health-related claims. When we reference such sources for context (for example, to address a popular misconception), we clearly distinguish them from scientific evidence.

Citation Standards

Every factual claim in our articles includes an inline citation linked to the original source. We provide either a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) link or a PubMed ID (PMID) for every study we reference, allowing readers to verify our sources independently. Where a study is open-access, we link directly to the full text when possible.

Editorial Process

Content Creation

Each article follows a structured workflow:

1. Topic Research: We run a literature search, identifying relevant studies, reviews, and position statements.
2. Drafting: The article is written with citations for all factual claims.
3. Fact-Check: Cited claims are checked against the original source material, and discrepancies are resolved.
4. Scientific Review: Our scientific reviewer checks the article for accuracy before it is finalised.
5. Publication: The article is published with date stamps, a byline, and structured data markup.

Review

Before an article goes live, it is checked against its cited sources for scientific accuracy and reviewed for clarity, so an everyday reader can follow it. Our scientific reviewer focuses on whether the studies are cited correctly and the conclusions are justified.

Content Updates

We revisit published content as significant new research emerges. When we do, we:

• Look for new studies published since the last review.
• Update recommendations if new evidence warrants changes.
• Check that external links and citations remain active.
• Refresh product pricing and availability data for the Malaysian market.
• Update the "date modified" stamp to reflect the latest review.

If a significant new study or safety finding emerges, we aim to update the relevant content promptly.

Product Review Methodology

Independence

Our product reviews are based on publicly available information — ingredients, third-party testing, pricing, and user feedback — assessed against standardised criteria. We do not accept payment from brands in exchange for reviews, and affiliate links never influence our scores or recommendations.

Scoring Rubric

Every product is evaluated on a 1-to-10 scale across eight categories. Each score is accompanied by specific justification. The categories are:

1. Purity & Ingredients (weight: 20%): Is it pure creatine monohydrate? Are there unnecessary fillers, artificial colours, or proprietary blends? Is the ingredient list transparent?
2. Third-Party Testing (weight: 15%): Has the product been tested by an independent lab (Informed Sport, NSF, USP)? Are certificates of analysis available?
3. Value for Money (weight: 15%): Cost per serving based on current Malaysian retail prices. We calculate and compare cost per 5g serving across products.
4. Solubility & Mixability (weight: 10%): How well does the powder dissolve in water at room temperature? Any grittiness or residue?
5. Taste & Palatability (weight: 5%): For unflavoured products, neutrality of taste. For flavoured variants, overall palatability.
6. Brand Reputation (weight: 10%): Company track record, manufacturing certifications (GMP, HACCP), transparency, and history of recalls or controversies.
7. Availability in Malaysia (weight: 15%): Ease of purchase through Malaysian retail channels, shipping times, and consistency of stock.
8. Halal Status (weight: 10%): JAKIM certification, IFANCA certification, or other recognised halal certifications. Clear labelling of halal status.

The overall score is a weighted average of all eight categories, rounded to one decimal place. We do not adjust overall scores manually; they are calculated directly from the category scores.

Review Updates

Product reviews are updated whenever we identify a significant change in formulation, pricing, availability, or certification status. We re-evaluate and re-score products when warranted and note the date of the most recent review update.

Affiliate Disclosure

Creatine.my participates in affiliate programmes with select Malaysian retailers and international supplement distributors. When you click on a product link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Our affiliate relationships are governed by the following principles:

• Affiliate commissions never influence product scores, rankings, or recommendations.
• We review products regardless of whether an affiliate programme exists for that product.
• Pages containing affiliate links display a clear affiliate disclosure notice.
• We will recommend a product with no affiliate programme over a product with an affiliate programme if the former scores higher in our review.
• Review verdicts are finalised before affiliate availability is considered. Affiliate links are added only after the editorial verdict is locked.

Affiliate revenue helps fund our operations, including purchasing products for review, maintaining the site, and supporting the research and writing behind every guide. We are grateful for reader support through these links, but your trust is more important to us than any commission.

Corrections Policy

We are committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently. If we identify a factual error in our content, or if a reader alerts us to one, we take the following steps:

1. Verify the reported error against primary sources.
2. Correct the content as quickly as possible.
3. Add a visible correction note at the top of the article describing what was changed and why.
4. Update the "date modified" stamp.

Minor typographical corrections and formatting changes do not receive correction notes, but the date modified stamp is still updated.

To report an error or suggest a correction, please email us at hello@creatine.my with the article URL and a description of the issue. We review all submissions and respond within 48 hours.

Questions About Our Process

If you have questions about our editorial methodology, want to understand how a particular article was researched, or wish to request our sources for a specific claim, please contact us at hello@creatine.my. We believe in full transparency and are happy to explain our reasoning and share our source material.