Keep the original observation
Store the reported label, value and unit before adding any normalised field. Record whether the quantity concerns gross material, contained content, oxide equivalent or a particular finished product. A clean table is not reliable if the cleaning process silently turns different measures into the same column.
MP Materials' quarterly reporting includes a stated oxide-equivalent convention for a sales metric. It illustrates why a publisher's conversion definition must remain attached to the observation rather than being applied universally to other products.
MP Materials: Second-quarter 2025 results and metric definitions ↗
Separate safe conversions from analytical assumptions
A change from kilograms to metric tonnes is a unit conversion when the material basis is unchanged. Converting oxide to metal, annualising a quarter or allocating group output to a site introduces further assumptions. Record those transformations explicitly and retain the formula and input scope.
Align dates as well as units. Fiscal and calendar years may differ, and a year-to-date figure may overlap several quarterly observations. Before comparing growth or totals, verify that the periods and definitions match. Leave an observation unpaired when they do not.
Illustrative normalisation decision
One source reports kilograms of a specified oxide and another reports tonnes of metal. Dividing the first number by 1,000 changes the mass unit, not the chemical product. The resulting rows remain different and cannot be ranked as like-for-like production without an explicit, defensible conversion basis.
Classify the transformation
| Change | Treatment |
|---|---|
| kg to metric tonnes | Unit conversion, same material basis |
| Oxide to metal | Product-basis conversion requiring support |
| Quarter to annual run rate | Time assumption, not reported annual output |
Your review checklist
- Preserve the original label and value.
- Normalise units only after confirming the material basis.
- Record formulas and analytical assumptions.
- Match fiscal periods and entity scope before aggregation.
Investigate with Oreline
Oreline's production evidence keeps the product, metric and reporting period visible alongside the source. Use those distinctions to compare observations without turning a normalised interface into a false claim of equivalence.
Follow the evidence through the supply chain.
Explore Oreline’s guided investigations. No account required.
Explore the sandbox →Frequently asked questions
Is unit conversion the same as product conversion?
No. Changing kilograms to tonnes leaves the material basis intact; changing oxide to metal requires additional information and assumptions.
What should happen when definitions do not match?
Retain both records and identify the mismatch. An incomplete comparison is preferable to an unsupported calculated equivalence.