Introduction
Verifiability is a core principle for maintaining the credibility and reliability of information on the Serial Killer Database. This policy outlines the guidelines and practices to ensure that all content added to the database can be verified by reliable sources.
Why Verifiability Matters
- Credibility: Verifiable information enhances the trustworthiness of the content.
- Accuracy: Ensures the information presented is accurate and based on reliable sources.
- Neutrality: Helps maintain a neutral point of view by relying on facts rather than opinions.
- Accountability: Holds contributors accountable for the information they add.
How to use the templates
Unreferenced article
{{Unreferenced|Individual's name|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
Unreliable source
{{urs}} produces: [unreliable source?].
{{urs|reason=Please verify the reliability of the source.}} produces "[unreliable source?]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{urs|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[unreliable source?]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Unreliable sources|Individual's name|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. Further details may exist on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (June 8, 2026)
One source
{{One source|Individual's name|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (June 8, 2026)
Add information
{{infomissing}} produces: [information missing].
{{infomissing|reason=Please add more information to the content.}} produces "[information missing]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{infomissing|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[information missing]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Missing information|description|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
{{Outdated information}} produces: [outdated information!].
{{Outdated information|reason=Please add more information to the content.}} produces "[outdated information!]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{Outdated information|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[information missing]" and is used for dating the tag.
Citations
{{cn}} or {{Citation Needed}} produces: [citation needed].
{{cn|reason=Please provide references for this claim.}} produces "[citation needed]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{cn|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[citation needed]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{More citations needed|Individual's name|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Further details may exist on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (June 8, 2026)
{{More Footnotes Needed|Individual's name|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations from reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Further details may exist on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (June 8, 2026)
{{Formatting issues|date=June 8, 2026}} produces:
{{Who}} produces: [who?].
{{Who|reason=Please provide more specific attribution.}} produces "[who?]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{Who|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[who?]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Whom|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[whom?]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Where}} produces: [where?].
{{Where|reason=Please specify the location.}} produces "[where?]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{Where|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[where?]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{When}} produces: [when?].
{{When|reason=Please specify the timeframe.}} produces "[when?]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{When|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[when?]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Explain}} produces: [further explanation needed]
{{Explain|reason=Please give example.}} produces "[further explanation needed]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{Explain|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[further explanation needed]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Authentication needed}} produces: [authentication needed!].
{{Authentication needed|reason=Please provide authentication for this claim.}} produces "[authentication needed!]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{Authentication needed|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[authentication needed!]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Addinfo}} produces: [Additional information needed].
{{Addinfo|reason=More information is needed near this tag.}} produces "[Additional information needed]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specifications.
{{Addinfo|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[Additional information needed]" and is used for dating the tag.
{{Contradictory}} produces: [Contradictory].
{{Contradictory|reason=Claims near this tag is contradictory to other claims in the biography.}} produces "[Contradictory]" and is used for further clarification. Reason text is changed to your specification.
{{Contradictory|date=June 8, 2026}} produces "[Contradictory]" and is used for dating the tag.
General Guidelines
Reliable Sources
- Preferred Sources: Use academic publications, reputable news outlets, official websites, and other authoritative sources.
- Avoid Self-Published Sources: Unless written by an established expert in the field, avoid using self-published sources like personal blogs or social media posts.
Inline Citations
- See also: Help:When to Cite, Help:Citing sources
- When to Cite: Cite sources for all direct quotes, statistics, contentious material, and any information that could be challenged.
- How to Cite: Use inline citations to link specific statements to their sources. Place citations immediately after the statement they support.
Consistency and Clarity
- Consistent Formatting: Follow the established citation formats for web pages, books, notes, and external links as outlined in Help:Citing sources.
- Clear Attribution: Ensure that the source of the information is clear and easily identifiable.
Self-published sources
Creating a personal web page, self-publishing a book, or claiming to be an expert is something anyone can do. For this reason, self-published materials like personal websites, books, open wikis, personal or group blogs (as distinct from newsblogs), newsletters, content farms, Internet forum postings, and social media postings are generally not acceptable as reliable sources. However, self-published expert sources may be considered reliable if they are produced by a well-known serial killer expert whose work has been published by reputable, independent publications in the field. Use these sources with caution: if the information is credible and relevant, it is likely that it has been published by independent, reliable sources.
Verifiability and Original Research
- No Original Research: All content should be verifiable from existing reliable sources. Original research and unpublished theories or ideas are not allowed.
- Secondary Sources: Rely on secondary sources that provide analysis, evaluation, or synthesis of primary sources.
How to Verify Information
- Check the Source: Ensure the source is reliable, reputable, and appropriate for the topic.
- Cross-Verify: Where possible, cross-verify the information with multiple reliable sources.
- Update and Correct: Regularly review and update content to ensure ongoing accuracy and verifiability. Correct any errors promptly.
Examples of Verifiable Information
Example 1: Direct Quote
Statement: "The sky is blue."
Citation: <ref name="example">{{Cite web|url=https://example.com/sky-is-blue|title=Why the Sky is Blue|author=John Doe|date=2024-06-28|publisher=Example Publisher}}</ref>
Example 2: Statistical Data
Statement: "Approximately 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water."
Citation: <ref name="example2">{{Cite book|first=Jane|last=Smith|title=Earth's Water|year=2022|publisher=Science Publishing|isbn=1234567890}}</ref>
Handling Unverifiable Information
- Challenge and Remove: Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Contributors are very encouraged to add verifiable sources to support their additions.
- Discussion: Use the talk pages to discuss any concerns about verifiability and reach consensus on disputed material.
See also
- Help:Maintenance template removal
- Help:When to Cite
- Help:Source Reliability
- Help:Citing sources
- Help:Neutral point of view
- Help:Conflict of interest
Conclusion
Verifiability is essential for maintaining the quality and reliability of content on our Fandom. By following these guidelines, contributors can help ensure that all information is accurate, trustworthy, and verifiable. For detailed instructions on citing sources, please refer to Help:Citing sources.