GoArch:Contested
 | This page documents an Archive policy. It describes a widely accepted standard that all editors should normally follow. To propose changes, use this sub-page. |
Overview[edit source]
Contested statements are elements of an article that do not have solid evidence for them in the D'ni universe's canon. Because the intent of the Archive is to adhere strictly to the canon of the D'ni universe, they should be avoided whenever possible.
When to contest[edit source]
Contested statements should not be confused with assertions that may be supported by canon, but which have not been sourced in the article. Such assertions should be flagged with {{citation needed}} before being considered contested. The "citation needed" flag should only be replaced with the {{contested}} flag if a source for the statement cannot be found.
One particular exception to this rule of "cite first, then contest" is transliteration of D'ni names. Since Romanized names are often spelled for aesthetic effect and not literal letter-level accuracy, it can sometimes be difficult to ascertain what the correct transliteration should be. This can be further complicated by the fact that most names do not have standard agreed-upon pronunciations, which could affect how people interpret vowel sounds, and by extension, what D'ni letters to use for them. If you are uncertain about a particular transliteration, you should flag it with {{contested}}.
When not to contest[edit source]
Do not flag a statement as contested simply because you disagree with it.
As a general rule of thumb, do not flag any content in the Apocrypha category as contested. By definition, apocrypha is likely to conflict with canon, but for the sake of completeness, it may remain on the Archive if it is appropriately marked. Statements in apocryphal articles should only be marked as contested if they appear to contradict what the apocrypha's author(s) have themselves stated to be true about the apocrypha itself.
Resolving contested statements[edit source]
There are two ways to resolve a contested statement: verification by accurate sourcing, or removal.
Verification[edit source]
While most contested statements are contested because there is no source to back them up, D'ni canon is a living thing, and is subject to change or clarification by Cyan at any time. If a contested statement can be verified by citing a new source, that source should be cited and added to the article as a reference using the Archive's citation standards. If the source is an email from Cyan, the email should be added to the References section of the Archive for backup purposes and linked in the citation.
Removal[edit source]
The more likely outcome of a contested statement is its removal. With the exception of contested transliterations, contested statements should only be removed if an editor who did not flag the statement originally is unable to find a source for them. The contested element should be relocated to a new section of the article's Discussion (Talk) page where it can await future investigation or verification. If the statement is later substantiated, it can be moved back into the body of the article.
Disputes over contested statements should be constrained to the article's Discussion page. If a statement is removed after being contested, you can use the Discussion page to argue for its re-inclusion, but do not put it back into the article yourself unless you can cite a source backing it up.
Content in this section is based on policies created by Memory Alpha. In accordance with Memory Alpha's licensing terms, the material on this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Non-Commercial license.
