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Citation[[edit] | [edit source]]
Due to the large amount of sources used to support the information on this wiki, the TARDIS Index File community has ruled for a simplified citation system for in-universe articles, whilst real world articles or out of universe articles follow the more detailed conventional citation system.
A simple guide to follow is:
- All in-universe articles and story articles (as they bridge several fields both in and out of universe) follow a simple ([[PREFIX]]: ''[[Story title]]'') citation system, this is explained in further detail in the In-universe articles section below.
- All out of universe/real world articles that are tagged with a Real world template ({{real world}}) follow a more conventional citation system that is found on sites such as Wikipedia, see the Out of universe articles section below for further information.
In-universe articles[[edit] | [edit source]]
Telling readers where a information or a statement can be verified is important. It helps to focus articles and keeps the details in an article to only that which actually appeared in the various Doctor Who narratives. Don't assume that your readers have the same level of knowledge about the Whoniverse as you do. Cite often, cite accurately. Format your citations according to these guidelines:
- When citing an episode, novel, book, audio drama, webcast, comic or any other story use brackets, the proper prefix for the series and then the name of the episode, in italics and linked, e.g:
- When citing an in-universe website, use the WEB prefix, the name of the website in italics and the website address shown using a piped link, e.g:
- (WEB: ''[[Torchwood website|torchwood.org.uk]]''), which appears as: (WEB: torchwood.org.uk)
- If you encounter a statement that obviously needs a citation, but you don't have the time or knowledge to correct it, type {{fact}}, which produces: [source needed]
- Should you come across a sentence that seems to need more citations, but you don't have the time or the knowledge to correct it, type {{facts}}, which produces: [additional sources needed]
- On this wiki, it is difficult to avoid using "weasel words" like "many", "often" and "sometimes". The nature of an internally inconsistent universe like Doctor Who's usually makes concise, absolute statements untrue. For instance, there are many occasions when the Doctor appears have a binary vascular system, but there are a few where he does not. Weasel words can be made more accurate by remembering to balance them with an appropriate number of citations. In general, if a sentence implies that something occurred multiple times, then there should multiple citations given. For instance, if you write, "The Doctor often thwarted the plans of the Master", then you should give several story names to give a sense that "often" is an accurate term. Some other words which trigger the need for multiple citations are "frequently", "various", and "regularly" — as well as the simple use of numerals ("the Doctor was known to have gone there three times").
Story articles[[edit] | [edit source]]
Story articles, be they TV, prose, comic or audio fall into an area between both the in and out of universe articles, as they contain material presented in an 'in-universe' context and an 'out of universe context', therefore story articles are cited in a similar method to our in-universe articles.
Out of universe articles[[edit] | [edit source]]
Out of universe / real world articles follow the conventional system of citation and sourcing, which is different from our in-universe citation. This is the keep a clear definition between in and out of universe articles. Wikipedia's Wikipedia:Manual of Style (titles), gives a breakdown for this format of citation with regards to titles.
Telling readers a statement that can be verified is important. For out of universe articles (those about the real world) we use the same system as Wikipedia; Footnotes. The sources must have reference tags around the <ref>source</ref> (see also Wikipedia:Citing sources for more info). Or The Dark Dimension and Lawrence Miles for examples of correct citation within articles. A section at the base of the article entitled 'Footnotes' must also be placed with {{reflist}} (this will collect the cited sources at the base of the article).
- Please use 'Footnotes' or 'Sources' rather than 'References' as this term is associated with the in-universe References section found on story titles.
If while editing you come across a cited piece of information which has no source you can place the {{fact}} tag beside it which will display the Fact tag like this; [source needed], which states a source needs to be cited.
Rumours[[edit] | [edit source]]
Rumours may be added to articles concerning yet to be broadcast stories or series, these should only be placed within the 'Rumours' section of the article. Users must ensure the rumours are cited with a source so that they may be verified by other readers and editors.
A rumour is not a justified reason to create a story article, the article must have some basis in fact to be create.
Unsourced rumours should be removed.
Articles on living people[[edit] | [edit source]]
Although all articles should be as accurate as possible, special care must be taken with regards to articles on people that are currently alive, as issues such as libel may arise if claims are made without sources being given, or unnecessary rumours sparked. A prime example occurred in a late-1980s encyclopedia of dolls that was published in North America, and which, in a section discussing Tom Baker, make the unsourced claim that Baker died of a drug overdose in 1982. As it happened, this was an unrelated actor of the same name. If you choose to include information of a potentially controversial nature, a source must be given, and preferably a "reliable source" such as an interview, newspaper or magazine article, etc. Wikipedia and the Internet Movie Database, not being peer reviewed, are not considered reliable sources. Nor are online (and, occasionally, print) sources that site Wikipedia and IMDb as their main sources.
Although this Wikia site is not considered part of Wikipedia, it is nonetheless helpful to review the Wikipedia Biographies of Living Persons policy. If you see an unsourced claim or comment regarding a living person, if a source cannot be located, it is best to play it safe and remove that material from the article.
Sources[[edit] | [edit source]]
Sources must be verifiable, please do not cite sources such as; fan forums, fan blogs, or other truly unofficial material, this is especially important when citing information regarding living people, upcoming stories, airdates, etc. Such sources are notoriously inaccurate and few if any are edited. Especially with regards to information about upcoming stories and other broadcast matter, BBC announcements should take precedence among all other sources. Officially licensed media such as Doctor Who Magazine, or news sites of long-standing such as The Doctor Who News Page (among others) are acceptable. Reports in major media (i.e. The Times, Associated Press, CNN, Reuters, BBC News etc.) are also acceptable.
Avoid using non-peer-reviewed sources such as Wikipedia, the Internet Movie Database, or even the TARDIS Index File as cited sources for information such as airdates, casting, etc.