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R0021/2026-03-25/Q002 — ACH Matrix

Matrix

H1: Widely protected H2: Minimal/unenforced H3: Varies by jurisdiction
SRC01-E01: Cross-jurisdictional comparison (Germany criminal, Canada civil, US varies) + -- ++
SRC02-E01: Ontario $6,000 fine for resume title misuse ++ -- +
SRC03-E01: US PE requires degree + exams + 4yr experience + -- +

Legend: - ++ Strongly supports - + Supports - -- Strongly contradicts - - Contradicts - N/A Not applicable to this hypothesis

Diagnosticity Analysis

Most Diagnostic Evidence

Evidence ID Why Diagnostic
SRC01-E01 The cross-jurisdictional comparison is most diagnostic because it directly discriminates between H1 (universal protection) and H3 (variable protection). The variation between Germany's criminal penalties and US states' limited protection of compound titles is the key discriminating evidence.

Least Diagnostic Evidence

Evidence ID Why Non-Diagnostic
SRC03-E01 PE licensing requirements exist in all US states, making this evidence non-discriminating between H1 and H3.

Outcome

Hypothesis supported: H3 — Protection varies significantly by jurisdiction in both scope (which title variants are protected) and enforcement (criminal vs. civil vs. none).

Hypotheses eliminated: H2 — Active enforcement with documented penalties eliminates the "unenforced" hypothesis.

Hypotheses inconclusive: H1 — Partially supported; title is widely protected but not uniformly, making "widely protected" an oversimplification.