User blog:Kallie Jo/The Scoop on Sourcing

I have noticed more than ever in the past few weeks how much the wiki is lacking sources. I'm making this blog post to address this very issue, and I'll try to make it as simple and easy to read as possible.

What is sourcing? Sourcing is providing origins of information, typically via a citation or reference. By citing your sources, you are essentially validating information and its reliability, that depending solely on the particular source.

How do I cite my sources? Citing your sources is meant to be simple, and all you have to do is remember a few characters:  . The source is meant to go between the.

After you have put your source in between the ref tags, there's just one more step: at the bottom of the page, add a new section and name it "References" or "Sources and References". In the section, add  . This generates a list of all the sources on the page in an organized and user-friendly format.

'''Okay.. do I have to use sources all the time?''' Definitely not. Too much of anything isn't good, so moderation is key. You should only cite sources when the information could be challenged or is likely to be challenged.

Why are sources so important? Without sources, our wiki's quality would be low, filled unverified and false information. Citing sources brings with it validation, reliability, and even a sense of professionalism and quality.

What sources can be found reliable? A list of sources that are found to be reliable can be seen here.

I have other questions. If you have any other questions, please leave them in the comments and I will reply to them.