Wikipedia:Ten simple rules for editing Wikipedia

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Wikipedia is the World's most successful online encyclopedia, now containing over 3.3 million English language articles.[1] It is probably the largest collection of knowledge ever assembled, and is certainly the most widely accessible. Wikipedia can be edited by anyone with Internet access who chooses to, but does it provide reliable information? A 2005 study by Nature found that a selection of Wikipedia articles on scientific subjects were comparable to a professionally edited encyclopedia,[2] suggesting a community of volunteers can generate and sustain surprisingly accurate content.

For better or worse, people are guided to Wikipedia when searching the Web for biomedical information.[3] So, there is an increasing need for the scientific community to engage with Wikipedia to ensure that the information it contains is accurate and current. For scientists, contributing to Wikipedia is an excellent way of fulfilling public engagement responsibilities and sharing expertise. For example, some Wikipedian scientists have successfully integrated biological data with Wikipedia to promote community annotation.[4][5] This, in turn, encourages wider access to the linked data via Wikipedia. Others have used the wiki model to develop their own specialist, collaborative databases.[6][7][8][9] Taking your first steps into Wikipedia can be daunting, but here we provide some tips that should make the editing process go smoothly.

Rule 1. Register an account

Although any visitor can edit Wikipedia,

real identities
. Should you choose to forgo pseudonymity on Wikipedia, your entire editing history will be open to indefinite scrutiny by curious Web searchers, including future colleagues, students, or employers. Do not forget this. As in academic circles, a good reputation helps your wiki career. By logging in you can build a record of good edits, and it is easier to communicate and collaborate with others if you have a fixed, reputable identity. Finally, registering an account provides access to enhanced editing features, including a "
watchlist
" for monitoring articles you have edited previously.

Rule 2. Learn the five pillars

There are some broad principles—known as the "

battleground
to debate controversial issues. In this respect, Wikipedia fundamentally differs from other types of new media, such as blogs, that encourage editorializing. Contributing to Wikipedia is something to enjoy; a natural extension of your enthusiasm for science. But differences of opinion inevitably arise, particularly on pages provided for discussion on how to improve articles. Treat other editors as collaborators and maintain a
respectful and civil manner, even in disagreement. If you begin to find a particular interaction stressful, simply log off and come back another time. Unlike most scientific enterprises, Wikipedia has no deadlines
.

Rule 3. Be bold, but not reckless

The survival and growth of any wiki requires participation. Wikipedia is unmatched in size, but its success depends on the regular contributions of tens of thousands of volunteers. Therefore, Wikipedia urges all its users to

be bold: if you spot an error, correct it. If you can improve an article, please do so. It is important, however, to distinguish boldness from recklessness. Start off small. Begin by making minor modifications to existing articles before attempting a complete rewrite of "History of science
". Many new editors feel intimidated about contributing to Wikipedia at first, fearing they may make a
ask
the reverting editor for advice.

Rule 4. Know your audience

Wikipedia is not primarily

aimed at experts; therefore, the level of technical detail
in its articles must be balanced against the ability of non-experts to understand those details. When contributing scientific content, imagine you have been tasked with writing a comprehensive scientific review for a high school audience. It can be surprisingly challenging to explain complex ideas in an accessible, jargon-free manner. But it is worth the effort. You will reap the benefits when it comes to writing your next manuscript or teaching an undergraduate class.

Rule 5. Do not infringe copyright

With certain conditions, almost all of Wikipedia's content is

immediate deletion
. You can give Wikipedia
permission to use material you own, but this process is non-reversible and can be time consuming. It is often better to rewrite the text in simpler language or redraw the figure to make it more accessible. This will also ensure it is more suitable for Wikipedia's non-expert readership (see Rule 4).

Rule 6. Cite, cite, cite

To maintain the highest standards possible, Wikipedia has a strict inclusion policy that demands

secondary sources
(such as reviews or book chapters) that survey the relevant primary research over research articles themselves. Wikipedia's accessibility makes each of its scientific articles an excellent entry point for laypeople seeking specialist information. By also providing direct
hyperlinks
to reliable, freely accessible online resources with your citations (biological databases or open-access journals, for example), other editors can quickly verify your content and readers have immediate access to authoritative sources that address the subject in greater detail.

Rule 7. Avoid self-promotion (shameless or otherwise)

Many people are tempted to write or edit Wikipedia articles

not yours to control. A lovingly crafted hagiography
extolling your many virtues can rapidly accumulate information you would rather not be publicized. You may already have a Wikipedia biography, but it contains factual inaccuracies that you wish to correct. How do you do this without breaking the rules? Wikipedia's guidelines encourage you to provide information about yourself on the associated discussion page, but please permit other editors to add it to the article itself. Think twice, also, before writing about your mentors, colleagues, competitors, inventions, or projects. Doing so places you in a conflict of interest and inclines you towards unintentional bias. If you have a personal or financial interest in the subject of any article you choose to edit, declare it on the associated discussion page and heed the advice of other editors who can offer a more objective perspective.

Rule 8. Share your expertise, but don't argue from authority

Writing about a subject about which you have academic expertise is not a

Cow", and "Evolution of mammals" is not a good idea. Occasionally you may interact with another editor who clearly does not share your expertise on the subject of an article. This can often prove frustrating for experts and is the basis of much academic angst on Wikipedia.[2] On such occasions, remember that you are assessed only on your contributions to Wikipedia, not who you are, your qualifications
, or what you have achieved in your career. Your specialist knowledge should enable you to write in a neutral manner and produce reliable, independent sources to support each assertion you make. If you do not provide verification, your contributions will be rightly challenged irrespective of how many degrees you hold.

Rule 9. Write neutrally and with due weight

All articles in Wikipedia should be

impartial in tone and content
. When writing, do state facts and facts about notable opinions, but do not offer your opinion as fact. Many newcomers to Wikipedia gravitate to articles on controversial issues about which people hold strong opposing viewpoints. Avoid these until familiar with Wikipedia's policies (see Rule 3), and instead focus on articles that are much easier to remain dispassionate about. Many scientists who contribute to Wikipedia fail to appreciate that a neutral point of view is not the same as the mainstream scientific point of view. When writing about complex issues, try to cover all significant viewpoints and afford each with
due weight, but not equal weight. For example, an article on a scientific controversy should describe both the scientific consensus and significant fringe theories
, but not in the same depth or in a manner suggesting these viewpoints are equally held.

Rule 10. Ask for help

Wikipedia can be a confusing place for the

helpme
}} and, as if by magic, a friendly Wikipedian will appear to offer one-on-one assistance.

See also

References

This article was adapted from the following source under a CC BY 4.0 license (2011) : Darren W Logan; Massimo Sandal; Paul P Gardner;

Wikidata Q21145331.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link
)

  1. ^ Essay was written in 2010. As of 2024 the number has grown to 6.8 million
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