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Wikipedia:The answer to life, the universe, and everything (view source)
Revision as of 16:28, 8 February 2022
, 16:28, 8 February 2022Imported page
<noinclude>{{short description|Wikipedia page summarizing the notability guideline}}{{pp-semi-indef}}
__NOTOC__</noinclude><section begin=template />{{ombox
| image = none
| text=<div class="center" style="margin: 1em auto; font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">Articles generally require '''{{hilite|significant coverage}}'''<br />
in '''{{hilite|reliable sources}}''' <br />
that are '''{{hilite|independent}}''' of the topic. </div>}}
<section end=template />
{{shortcut|WP:42|WP:VRS|WP:GOLDENRULE}}
== Significant coverage ==
We need significant coverage. This helps show that a topic meets the '''[[WP:N|notability]]''' guidelines. We need ''multiple'' sources that discuss the topic directly and in detail. Not: passing mentions, directory listings, or any old thing that happens to have the topic's name in it.
== Reliable sources ==
We need sources that are '''[[WP:RS|reliable]]'''. Usually this means that the publisher has a reputation for fact checking and the text must be approved by an editor before it is printed. Choose: books from reputable publishing houses, mainstream newspapers, or other periodicals. Not: [[Tabloid journalism|tabloids]], discussion boards, fansites, Facebook, YouTube, or most blogs. (Some blogs are written by professional journalists and published on newspaper websites, but most blogs have no editorial oversight, and comments on blogs, like forum posts, are almost never ok.)
== Independent sources ==
We need sources that are '''[[WP:INDY|independent]]''' from the subject of the article. Not: articles written by the topic (including interviews), paid for by the topic, their website, or their organization. Not a [[press release]] written by a publicist that puts a positive "[[spin (public relations)|spin]]" on a subject and omits negative incidents. Not a report put out by an organization owned by the subject. Not just a Q&A interview where virtually all of the information is just the subject or a spokesperson speaking for themselves. We want readers to be able to rely on what they read, and to be able to '''[[WP:V|verify]]''' claims they read in Wikipedia articles. So, please '''[[WP:REFB|add footnotes]]''' to your article citing [[WP:RS|reliable sources]] such as recognized experts on the subject or trustworthy reporters, best if published in mainstream media or in books and journals printed by reputable publishers.
== Notes ==
* This is not a [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia policy or guideline]]; please defer to such in cases of inconsistency with this page.
* For an explanation of the title of this page, see [[The answer to life, the universe, and everything]].
== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia:Don't cite WP42 at AfD]]
* [[Wikipedia:Cite WP42 at AfD]]
* [[Wikipedia:Everything you need to know]]: a similar guide in the same style.
* [[Wikipedia:Common sourcing mistakes (notability)]]
<noinclude>
{{Policy summaries}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:answer to life, the universe, and everything, The}}
[[Category:Wikipedia information pages]]
[[Category:Wikipedia essays about verification]]
</noinclude>
__NOTOC__</noinclude><section begin=template />{{ombox
| image = none
| text=<div class="center" style="margin: 1em auto; font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px;">Articles generally require '''{{hilite|significant coverage}}'''<br />
in '''{{hilite|reliable sources}}''' <br />
that are '''{{hilite|independent}}''' of the topic. </div>}}
<section end=template />
{{shortcut|WP:42|WP:VRS|WP:GOLDENRULE}}
== Significant coverage ==
We need significant coverage. This helps show that a topic meets the '''[[WP:N|notability]]''' guidelines. We need ''multiple'' sources that discuss the topic directly and in detail. Not: passing mentions, directory listings, or any old thing that happens to have the topic's name in it.
== Reliable sources ==
We need sources that are '''[[WP:RS|reliable]]'''. Usually this means that the publisher has a reputation for fact checking and the text must be approved by an editor before it is printed. Choose: books from reputable publishing houses, mainstream newspapers, or other periodicals. Not: [[Tabloid journalism|tabloids]], discussion boards, fansites, Facebook, YouTube, or most blogs. (Some blogs are written by professional journalists and published on newspaper websites, but most blogs have no editorial oversight, and comments on blogs, like forum posts, are almost never ok.)
== Independent sources ==
We need sources that are '''[[WP:INDY|independent]]''' from the subject of the article. Not: articles written by the topic (including interviews), paid for by the topic, their website, or their organization. Not a [[press release]] written by a publicist that puts a positive "[[spin (public relations)|spin]]" on a subject and omits negative incidents. Not a report put out by an organization owned by the subject. Not just a Q&A interview where virtually all of the information is just the subject or a spokesperson speaking for themselves. We want readers to be able to rely on what they read, and to be able to '''[[WP:V|verify]]''' claims they read in Wikipedia articles. So, please '''[[WP:REFB|add footnotes]]''' to your article citing [[WP:RS|reliable sources]] such as recognized experts on the subject or trustworthy reporters, best if published in mainstream media or in books and journals printed by reputable publishers.
== Notes ==
* This is not a [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia policy or guideline]]; please defer to such in cases of inconsistency with this page.
* For an explanation of the title of this page, see [[The answer to life, the universe, and everything]].
== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia:Don't cite WP42 at AfD]]
* [[Wikipedia:Cite WP42 at AfD]]
* [[Wikipedia:Everything you need to know]]: a similar guide in the same style.
* [[Wikipedia:Common sourcing mistakes (notability)]]
<noinclude>
{{Policy summaries}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:answer to life, the universe, and everything, The}}
[[Category:Wikipedia information pages]]
[[Category:Wikipedia essays about verification]]
</noinclude>