Template talk:Dashboard.wikiedu.org bibliography/guide

Thoughts

Some points to consider:

Under "is the source verifiable", it says:

In order for a source to be considered verifiable, other editors should be able to consult the source.

True, but perhaps not entirely clear. Some might infer from this that it has to be available on line, but that is not the case. Books available only in print, or only in a library half a world away, or only in an online news site that requires a paid subscription, can also be verifiable sources.

The next header question is:

Is the source independent of the subject?

But this asks only half the question of WP:INDEPENDENT sources, that is, it asks about sources that are (or are not) independent of the subject, which is an important question to pose, but not the only one. The other aspect of independence is not asked, namely: Is the source independent of other sources used in the article? If a newspaper chain is under central control and 200 newspapers print versions of the same news event, that counts as one independent source.

Thanks, Mathglot (talk) 07:21, 9 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Hello Mathglot,

Thank you for your insightful comments regarding the source verification and independence criteria. I appreciate your attention to detail. Here are a couple of points I would like to address:

Verifiability of Sources: You raise an excellent point about the definition of "verifiable." It is indeed important to clarify that a source doesn't need to be online to be considered verifiable. Sources in print, library archives, or subscription-only websites can be just as valid. A clearer explanation might help avoid any confusion among editors.
Independence of Sources: I agree that the current wording only addresses part of the WP sources criteria. It's crucial to not only consider whether a source is independent of the subject but also whether it is independent from other sources used in the article. This distinction is vital for ensuring a diverse range of viewpoints and minimizing bias.

Thank you for bringing up these points, and I hope to see them reflected in the guidelines for improved clarity and comprehensiveness.

Best regards,

Mzied Faleh Almutairi Mzalmutairi (talk) 03:02, 12 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]