Wikipedia:The answer to life, the universe, and everything

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Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Significant coverage

We need

significant coverage
. We need multiple sources that discuss the topic directly and in detail. Not: passing mentions, directory listings, government records, or any old thing that happens to have the topic's name in it.

Reliable sources

We need sources that are

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. For example: books from reputable publishing houses, mainstream newspapers, or other periodicals. Not: tabloids
, discussion boards, fansites, social media, or most blogs.

Independent sources

We need sources that are

independent
from the subject of the article. Not: books or articles or written by the subject (including interviews), articles paid for by the subject, press releases, a Q&A interview where virtually all of the information is just the subject or a spokesperson speaking for themselves.

References

Readers should be able to rely on what they read and be able to

reliable sources
as described.

Notes

  • This is not a 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, and in particular, the repeating attempts of adding "mostly harmless" at Talk:Earth

See also