Research Methodology
How our desk examines trading platforms such as IronBridge Markets — and, just as importantly, what we refuse to conclude.
Cost transparency
Whether spreads, commissions, financing and non-trading fees are documented and findable.
Order handling
Available order types, described execution behaviour and slippage disclosure.
Risk controls
Adjustable leverage, precise sizing, visible margin levels, prominent risk warnings.
Usability
Consistency across devices, clarity of confirmations, quality of charting.
Documentation
Terms, complaint routes and educational material reachable without an account.
Record keeping
Exportable statements with timestamps and itemised costs.
Inputs we use
- Financial research and established market literature.
- Publicly available information published by or about a platform's category.
- Industry data on conventions such as order types, fee models and margin practice.
- General market analysis of the instruments a platform typically covers.
- Platform comparison principles applied consistently across every subject.
- Risk-awareness education, which frames every conclusion we draw.
How a research file is built
- Define the platform category and the questions a reader would need answered.
- Apply the six criteria above, recording what is observable and what is not.
- Separate observation from claim from verification, and label each accordingly.
- Write the educational context needed to interpret each criterion.
- Add explicit risk framing and internal links to the relevant guides.
- Review against our editorial policy before publication.
Limits of this methodology
- We do not audit companies and hold no professional advisory or licensed status.
- We do not verify regulatory registration; readers must consult the relevant register.
- We do not test execution with funded accounts, so we publish no performance findings.
- Platform terms change; any research file reflects the period in which it was written.
Where to see it applied
The methodology above is applied end to end in our IronBridge Markets review, and the underlying mechanics are explained in how trading platforms work and risk management in trading.
Editorial Attribution
Financial Markets Research Team
Our desk writes trading education and platform research using public information, industry data, market analysis and structured comparison principles. We hold no licence, offer no advisory service and take no position on whether any reader should use IronBridge Markets (ironbridgemarkets.net) or any other platform.