Wikipedia:Identifying and using self-published works: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
→Using self-published sources: "Always" > "Usually"; and parallel structure |
edited two similar sentences to make context more central to assessment (that careful examination occurs in relation to a claim), changed the text before and after the "three questions" to match that on the other two pages (i.e., Independent sources, Identifying and using primary sources) for these 3 characteristics |
||
Line 1:
{{Supplement|interprets=multiple policies and guidelines|shortcut=WP:USESPS|shortcut2=WP:USINGSPS}}
'''Self-published works''' are those in which the author and publisher are the same. Anyone can self-publish information regardless of whether s/he is truly knowledgeable about the topic in question. Therefore, self-published works should be examined carefully when determining whether a specific self-published work is a reliable source for
In determining the type of source, there are three separate, basic characteristics to identify:
* Is the source '''self-published''' or not? (This is the topic of this page.)
Line 8:
* Is the source '''primary''' or not? (If so, then see [[Wikipedia:Identifying and using primary and secondary sources]].)
Every possible combination of these three traits has been seen in sources on Wikipedia. Any combination of these three traits can produce a source that is usable for some purpose in a Wikipedia article. Identifying these characteristics will help you determine how you can use these sources.
This page deals only with the first question: '''identifying and correctly using self-published sources'''.
Line 112:
==Using self-published sources==
Self-published works should be examined carefully
Not all self-published sources are equal. A personal blog post claiming that the Twin Towers fell as the result of a controlled demolition, written by someone with no expertise, is not at the same level as a personal blog post about physics written by the chairperson of the physics department at a major university.
| |||