Wikipedia:WikiProject Outlines/Archive/Helpful tips: Difference between revisions

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'''Templates'''

This project's main procedure is the creation of outline articles. There are various templates that provide a good "skeleton" off which the outline can be expanded. The default is [[Template:Topic outline]]. Instructions on how to use it is included with it. Additionally, a template exists called [[Template:Topic outline country]] which was used to create a topic outline for every [[:Category:Outlines of countries|every country]] of the World.

When starting an outline, it is advisable to first create a draft under the name "Wikipedia:WikiProject Outline of knowledgeKnowledge/Drafts/Outline of ''subject''". There have been instances in the past where rudimentary outlines created in article space have been proposed for deletion at [[WP:AFD]], as was the case for the [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/List of basic Canada topics|Outline of Canada]], as well as for the [[Outline of mining]]. If working on a sparse outline that already exists in article space, be sure to place a {{tl|under construction}} template at the top of it to avoid the risk of deletion. This is also advisable if one is completely revamping an outline over a series of edits. Also take care to assure that incomplete outlines have the [[:Category:Incomplete outlines]] instead of [[:Category:Outlines]] at the bottom, especially when starting out with the general template.

The complete list of established, draft, and prospective outlines is at [[WP:PROL]].

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===Sciences===

{{seealso|Wikipedia:Scientific citation guidelines}}

Scientific outlines can be particularly hard to develop, given their (usually) highly technical nature and interrelated basis of shared knowledge. For this reason, extra care must be taken to ensure a balance between comprehensiveness and clarity.

A science can be defined as one that is able to be verified via the [[scientific method]], which entails verification of natural phenomena through repeated experimentation. Most modern sciences are based on a set of "core" principles that are practically considered fact in the given scientific community. These can range from mathematic equations (for example the [[Avogadro constant]] is constantly used in [[molecular chemistry]]) to scientific theories (the principles of [[evolution]]/[[natural selection]] are a basis for all [[ecology|ecological]] sciences). These should be included in the outline to illustrate the basis for the science's development.

'''Layout'''

Examples of some sections and subsections that could be included are:

* ''Measurement tools'' – physical tools that are often used in the field to quantify a measurement

* ''Modeling'' – useful if the science is one that uses or is studied by models, could be further divided by the type of phenomena being studied or the type of equation, for example