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| “ | Everything in Wikipedia must be attributable to a reliable published source. | ” |
Wikipedia needs one policy page that explains the need to use sources, with one key concept that editors will easily understand — that of attribution.
The core of the policy couldn't be simpler:
The threshold for inclusion in Wikipedia is whether material is attributable to a reliable published source, not whether it is true. Wikipedia is not the place to publish your own opinions, experiences, or arguments.
Although everything in Wikipedia must be attributable, in practice not all material is attributed — editors should provide attribution for quotations and for any material that is challenged or likely to be challenged. The burden of evidence lies with the editor wishing to add or retain the material. If a topic has no reliable sources, Wikipedia should not have an article on it.
What exactly is the relationship between citing sources and avoiding original research?
- Unattributed — material for which no source has been found.
- Unattributable — material for which no source can be found i.e. original research.
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