This page is to be used by work group three in the Wikipedia:Verifiability MedCab case. It will be used to create the non-VnT compromise draft, for presentation in a community-wide RfC. This draft will not include "verifiability, not truth", and may or may not include "threshold". This version may contain entirely new wording, but it should still address the concept of how verifiability differs from truth. Drafters will have considerably more freedom here than in drafts one or two.

Editors should:

Draft 0

[edit]
Verifiability is the ability to cite reliable sources that directly support the information in an article. All information in Wikipedia must be verifiable. If the verifiability of any text in Wikipedia has been challenged, or if it is likely to be challenged, the source must be stated in the form of an inline citation. Appropriate citations guarantee that the information is not original research, and allow readers and editors to check the source material for themselves. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed without further discussion, and unsourced contentious material about about living people must be removed immediately. Because Wikipedia does not allow original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three.

References

[edit]

Draft 1

[edit]
Verifiability is the ability to cite reliable sources that directly support the material in an article. All information in Wikipedia mainspace must be verifiable. If the verifiability of any text in Wikipedia has been challenged, or if it is likely to be challenged, the source must be stated in the form of an inline citation. Appropriate citations demonstrate that the content is not original research, and allow readers and editors to check the source material for themselves. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about about living people must be removed immediately. Because Wikipedia does not publish original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content.[1]

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "verifiability, not truth".

Draft 2

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On Wikipedia, verifiability means that readers must be able to check that information in Wikipedia has already been published by a reliable source. It is not enough that the information is true. It must be verifiable before you can add it.

Although all material added to articles must be attributable to a reliable, published source that's appropriate for the content in question, in practice you do not always need to attribute everything. All quotations and anything challenged or likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.[1] For how to write citations, see Citing sources.

Verifiability does not guarantee inclusion. The fact that something has been published does not necessarily mean it belongs in an encyclopaedia article—other policies and guidelines also apply.

This policy applies to all material in the mainspace—articles, lists, sections of articles, and captions—without exception, and in particular to material about living people. Anything that lacks a reliable source may be removed. Please remove unsourced contentious material about living people at once.

Verifiability is one of Wikipedia's core content policies, along with No original research and Neutral point of view. These policies jointly determine the type and quality of material that is acceptable in articles. They should not be interpreted in isolation from one another, and editors should familiarize themselves with the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

References

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  1. ^ See the discussion about sources in WP:NOR that describes summarizing materials in your own words, leaving nothing implied that goes beyond the sources.

Draft 3

[edit]
Verifiability, in this Wikipedia policy, is the ability to verify that the material in an article has already been published by a reliable source which directly supports that material. Although this is a fundamental requirement for material to be included in Wikipedia, it is not a guarantee that it will be included. Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are core content policies which work together to determine whether content can be included, so editors should understand the key points of all three.

Everything in articles must be verifiable. For all quotations, and any material which has been challenged, or is likely to be challenged, an inline citation must be given to the source to enable readers and editors to check that what has been stated is not original research. If this cannot be done, the material may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about about living people must be removed immediately. Published sources can (and often do) conflict with each other, and therefore may be inaccurate. Therefore, "verifiability" does not guarantee "truth". Editors should treat these situations with due care when choosing what should be included.

Whether editors know or believe information to be true (or false) can never be a substitute for this policy; Wikipedia does not publish original research. [1]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ This principle has been expressed on this policy page in the past as "verifiability, not truth".

Draft 4

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For information to be included in Wikipedia mainspace (articles, lists, sections of articles, and captions) it must meet the verifiability requirement— ie being attributable to a reliable, published source appropriate for the content in question. This requires that all quotations and anything challenged or likely to be challenged be attributed in the form of an inline citation that directly supports the material. (See the discussion about sources in WP:NOR that describes summarizing materials in your own words, leaving nothing implied that goes beyond the sources.) For how to write citations, see Citing sources. Anything that requires but lacks a source may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living persons must be removed immediately.

While wikipedia is concerned with Verifiability, not believed (ie not referencable to a reliable source) truth,[1] verifiability in of itself is not factual truth either. Sources meeting verifiability can conflict with each other or even be in error. To this end Verifiability works in conjunction with core content policies that must also be satisfied; this is to help ensure articles have a neutral point of view, contain no original research, and that verifiable but inaccurate information in articles is kept to minimum.

References

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  1. ^ Originally simply known as Verifiability not truth

Draft 5

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On Wikipedia, verifiability means that readers must be able to check that information in Wikipedia has already been published by a reliable source. All information in Wikipedia mainspace must be verifiable.

Because Wikipedia does not publish original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content.[1] Sources which meet the verifiability requirement often conflict with one another. When this happens, the conflict should be treated according to the WP policy Neutral point of view, including the part about due weight.

If the verifiability of any text in Wikipedia has been challenged, or if it is likely to be challenged, the source must be stated in the form of an inline citation. Appropriate citations demonstrate that the content is not original research, and allow readers and editors to check the source material for themselves.

Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about about living people must be removed immediately.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle was originally expressed as "verifiability, not truth".

Draft 6

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Verifiability on Wikipedia is the reader's ability to check cited sources that directly support the material in an article. Verifiability is a constraint for inclusion in Wikipedia, and material in mainspace must be verifiable. Perceived truth and personal experience are not substitutes. No matter how convinced you are that something is true, do not add it to an article unless it is verifiable.

Core content policies

[edit]

Wikipedia:Verifiability (WP:V), Wikipedia:No original research (WP:NOR), and Wikipedia:Neutral point of view (WP:NPOV) are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Note that WP:DUE within WP:NPOV is used to determine the due weight to be assigned to any given source. Articles must also comply with the Wikipedia:Copyright policy.

Verifiability, not truth

[edit]

"The threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth", was a long-standing description of the verifiability constraint, and is further described in the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth.

References

[edit]

Draft 7

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This core content policy calls for the verifiability of all information presented in Wikipedia articles. Readers must be able to verify that the content presented accurately reflects reliable sources. Editors should support this ability by citing those reliable sources.

Editors should try to verify and cite all significant material included, even if they are sure it is correct. Quotations must be attributed, as should other information likely to be challenged. Editors finding material lacking citations should consider either challenging it (by adding the tag ((cn))) or even removing the unsupported material summarily.

Verifiability on its own can not guarantee inclusion of material, as other policies, guidelines and considerations also apply.

References

[edit]

Draft 8 (combined drafts)

[edit]
Verifiability is the ability to cite reliable sources that directly support the material in an article. All information in Wikipedia mainspace must be verifiable.[1] All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.[2] Appropriate citations show that the content is not original research, and allow readers and editors to check the source material for themselves. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about about living people must be removed immediately. Because Wikipedia does not publish original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content.[3]

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Although verifiability is a fundamental requirement for inclusion in Wikipedia, it is not a guarantee that material will be included, since other policies such as the Neutral Point of Veiw also apply.
  2. ^ Where reliable sources conflict, and where our policies are in agreement that their information should be included, Wikipedia describes both points of view, as described in the Balance section of our NPOV policy.
  3. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth".

Draft 9

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On Wikipedia, verifiability means that readers can check that material published by Wikipedia has previously been published by a reliable source.[1] This policy applies to all material in the Wikipedia mainspace.[2]

Although all material added to articles must be attributable to a reliable, published source that's appropriate for the content in question, in practice you do not always need to attribute everything. All quotations and anything challenged or likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.[3]

[The following sections are added after the lede.]

Three interrelated core content policies

[edit]

Wikipedia:Verifiability (WP:V), Wikipedia:No original research (WP:NOR), and Wikipedia:Neutral point of view (WP:NPOV) are three interrelated core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three.

Verifiability clarifications

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Perceived truth and personal experience are not substitutes for the verifiability requirement.[4]

Verifiable material may or may not be accurate.[5] Verifiable material may or may not be compliant with the Wikipedia:Copyright violation policy (WP:COPYVIO).

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Although verifiability is a fundamental requirement for inclusion in Wikipedia, it is not a guarantee that material will be included, since policies such as Wikipedia:Neutral point of view also apply.
  2. ^ This policy applies to all material in the Wikipedia mainspace—articles, lists, sections of articles, and captions—without exception, and in particular to material about living people. Please remove unsourced contentious material about living people at once.
  3. ^ See the discussion about sources in Wikipedia:No original research#Using sources that describes summarizing materials in your own words, leaving nothing implied that goes beyond the sources.
  4. ^ "The threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth", is a long-standing description of the verifiability requirement. See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth.
  5. ^ See, for example, Dewey Defeats Truman.

Draft 10

[edit]
Verifiability means that readers and editors can check that material in Wikipedia has previously been published by a reliable source.

All the information in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.

Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Verifiability, NOR and NPOV

[edit]

Verifiability, No original research (NOR) and Neutral point of view (NPOV) are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content.

  • Because Wikipedia does not publish original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content. Neither perceived truth nor personal experience is a substitute for verifiability. [1]
  • When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be treated according to NPOV, including the part of that policy about due weight. [2]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ Sometimes it may be appropriate to give no weight at all to a claim from a usually reliable source, because of the great weight of verifiable information that goes against the claim: e.g. the Chicago Tribune's report Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as "inaccurate". See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.

Draft 11

[edit]
Verifiability means that readers and editors can check that information in Wikipedia has previously been published by a reliable source.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.

Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Because Wikipedia does not publish original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content. Neither perceived truth nor personal experience is a substitute for verifiability. [1]

When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

Add to the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Sometimes it may be appropriate to give little or no weight to a claimed fact from a usually reliable source, because of the great weight of verifiable information that goes against the claim: e.g. the Chicago Tribune's report Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as "inaccurate". [2]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.

Draft 12

[edit]
Verifiability means that readers and editors can check that information in Wikipedia has previously been published by a reliable source.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.

Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Because Wikipedia does not publish original research, whether editors personally believe information to be true or false should never determine Wikipedia content. Neither perceived truth nor personal experience is a substitute for verifiability. [1]

Verifiability, NOR and NPOV

[edit]

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

Add to the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Sometimes it may be appropriate to give little or no weight to a claimed fact from a usually reliable source, because of the great weight of verifiable information that goes against the claim: e.g. the Chicago Tribune's report Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as "inaccurate". [2]

Add to the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#What counts as a reliable source When assessing the reliability of a source, it is always important to check that the information in that source has not been superseded by more recent or more in-depth investigation. Published sources can (and often do) conflict with each other, and editors should treat these situations with due care when choosing what should be included.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.

Draft 13

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This proposal is to insert a new section as the first section after the lede, following the index box, as follows:
== Scope ==

The accuracy of verifiable material is outside of the scope of this policy.


  • Rationale:
  1. This proposal clarifies the original intent that the WP:V policy is silent about what to do with reliable published material that is potentially inaccurate. Verifiability is the evidence that someone other than Wikipedia said it first. It is other content policies that provide guidance in balancing the material from sources and using the material in context.
  2. A "Scope" section is typical in standard operating procedures.
  3. This proposal is compatible with both the long-standing first sentence of WP:V commonly known as VnT, and the current policy statement.

Draft 14

[edit]
This is a tweak to the above proposal, to point editors to where they can find the information:
== Scope ==

The accuracy or inaccuracy of verifiable material is outside of the scope of this policy. For more information on this, see When experts disagree, Conflict between sources, and Due weight when choosing what should be included.


  • Rationale: As above, but also ensuring that we are making it absolutely clear (particularly for Autsim-spectrum editors) where to look for the information, as opposed to leaving them in limbo.

Draft 15

[edit]
Verifiability means that readers and editors can check that information in Wikipedia has previously been published by a reliable source.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.

Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs of its editors. Neither perceived truth nor personal experience is a substitute for verifiability. [1]

When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

New section, to come after the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Clear-cut inaccuracy

[edit]

Sometimes WP editors who examine a range of sources about a topic can agree that a particular published source has made a clear-cut error about a point of fact. For instance, the famous headline Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as an "inaccurate". [2]

If you feel that verifiable information is inaccurate, do not remove it until the issue has been fully discussed on the talk page and a consensus for removal has been established. Discussion needs to focus on source reliability and due weight, rather than on the personal views of Wikipedia editors. Keep in mind that rewriting how the material is presented is often a better choice than removing it entirely.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.

Draft 16

[edit]
Verifiability means that readers and editors can check that information in Wikipedia has previously been published by a reliable source.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material.

Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs of its editors. Neither perceived truth nor personal experience is a substitute for verifiability. [1]

When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

New section, to come after the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Clear-cut inaccuracy

[edit]

Sometimes WP editors who examine a range of sources about a topic can agree that a particular published source has made a clear-cut error about a point of fact. For instance, the famous headline Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as an "inaccurate". [2]

If you feel that verifiable information is inaccurate, do not remove it until the issue has been fully discussed on the talk page and a consensus for removal has been established. Discussion needs to focus on source reliability and due weight, rather than on the personal views of Wikipedia editors. Keep in mind that rewriting how the material is presented is often a better choice than removing it entirely. [3]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.
  3. ^ For more information, see Wikipedia:Editing policy#Adding information to Wikipedia, Inaccurate information, When experts disagree, and Conflict between sources.

Draft 17

[edit]
In Wikipedia, verifiability means that readers and editors can check that information has previously been published by a reliable source.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs of its editors. Neither perceived truth nor personal experience is a substitute for verifiability. [1] When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

New section, to come after the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Clear-cut inaccuracy

[edit]

Sometimes WP editors who examine a range of sources about a topic can agree that a particular published source has made a clear-cut error about a point of fact. For instance, the famous headline Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as an "inaccurate". [2]

If you feel that verifiable information is inaccurate, it is usually best not to remove it until the issue has been fully discussed on the talk page and a consensus for removal has been established. Discussion needs to focus on source reliability and due weight, rather than on the personal views of Wikipedia editors. Keep in mind that rewriting how the material is presented is often a better choice than removing it entirely. [3]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.
  3. ^ For more information, see Wikipedia:Editing policy#Adding information to Wikipedia, Inaccurate information, When experts disagree, and Conflict between sources.

Draft 18

[edit]
In Wikipedia, verifiability means that readers and editors can check that information has previously been published by a reliable source.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs of its editors. It is not enough that the information is true. It must be verifiable before you can add it. [1] When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

New section, to come after the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Clear-cut inaccuracy

[edit]

Sometimes WP editors who examine a range of sources about a topic can agree that a particular published source has made a clear-cut error about a point of fact. For instance, the famous headline Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as an "inaccurate". [2]

If you feel that verifiable information is inaccurate, it is usually best not to remove it until the issue has been fully discussed on the talk page and a consensus for removal has been established. Discussion needs to focus on source reliability and due weight, rather than on the personal views of Wikipedia editors. Keep in mind that rewriting how the material is presented is often a better choice than removing it entirely. [3]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.
  3. ^ For more information, see Wikipedia:Editing policy#Adding information to Wikipedia, Inaccurate information, When experts disagree, and Conflict between sources.

Draft 19

[edit]
In Wikipedia, verifiability means that people reading and editing the encyclopedia can check that information has previously been published by a reliable source.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs or experiences of its editors. It is not enough that the information is true. It must be verifiable before you can add it. [1] When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

New section, to come after the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Clear-cut inaccuracy

[edit]

Sometimes WP editors who examine a range of sources about a topic can agree that a particular published source has made a clear-cut error about a point of fact. For instance, the famous headline Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as an "inaccurate". [2]

If you feel that verifiable information is inaccurate, it is usually best not to remove it until the issue has been fully discussed on the talk page and a consensus for removal has been established. Discussion needs to focus on source reliability and due weight, rather than on the personal views of Wikipedia editors. Keep in mind that rewriting how the material is presented is often a better choice than removing it entirely. [3]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.
  3. ^ For more information, see Wikipedia:Editing policy#Adding information to Wikipedia, Inaccurate information, When experts disagree, and Conflict between sources.

Draft 20

[edit]
This proposal is to insert a new section as the first section after the lede, following the index box, as follows:
== Scope ==

The accuracy or inaccuracy of verifiable material is outside of the scope of this policy.[1]

Notes

[edit]

[Here] is a diff for this proposed change.
[Here] is the proposed new policy page.

  • Rationale: <The rationale for the RfC will be added here.>

Draft 21

[edit]
In Wikipedia, verifiability means that people reading and editing the encyclopedia can check that information comes from a reliable source.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs or experiences of its editors. Even if you're sure something is true, it must be verifiable before you can add it.[1] When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately. For how to write citations, see Citing sources.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

New section, to come after the existing section Wikipedia:Verifiability#Neutrality

Clear-cut inaccuracy

[edit]

Sometimes WP editors who examine a range of sources about a topic can agree that a particular published source has made a clear-cut error about a point of fact. For instance, the famous headline Dewey defeats Truman is appropriately described as an "inaccurate". [2]

If you feel that verifiable information is inaccurate, it is usually best not to remove it until the issue has been fully discussed on the talk page and a consensus for removal has been established. Discussion needs to focus on source reliability and due weight, rather than on the personal views of Wikipedia editors. Keep in mind that rewriting how the material is presented is often a better choice than removing it entirely. [3]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth
  2. ^ See the essay, WP:Inaccuracy.
  3. ^ For more information, see Wikipedia:Editing policy#Adding information to Wikipedia, Inaccurate information, When experts disagree, and Conflict between sources.

Draft 22

[edit]
In Wikipedia, verifiability means that people reading and editing the encyclopedia can check that information comes from a reliable source.

Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than by the personal beliefs or experiences of its editors. Even if you're sure something is true, it must be verifiable before you can add it.[1] When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight.

All the material in Wikipedia mainspace, including everything in articles, lists and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged must include an inline citation that directly supports the material. Any material that requires a source but does not have one may be removed, and unsourced contentious material about living people must be removed immediately. For how to write citations, see Citing sources.

Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. They work together to determine content, so editors should understand the key points of all three. Articles must also comply with the copyright policy.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ This principle has been historically and notably expressed on this policy page as "the threshold for inclusion is verifiability, not truth". See the essay, WP:Verifiability, not truth