Stress-testing retrieval self-check for retrieval-augmented answering under 32% distractor density: a paired bootstrap

Abstract

We evaluated retrieval self-check for retrieval-augmented answering under 32% distractor density. A deterministic paired simulation generated 64 cases and preserved a low-signal stratum. Mean evidence faithfulness changed from 0.522 to 0.575; the paired difference was +0.053 (95% interval +0.051 to +0.056). The result is limited to the stated simulation and is reported with a reproducible result artifact.