Abstract
Wikipedia has become a global knowledge infrastructure that influences public understanding, visibility, and credibility across disciplines.
For researchers and organizations, creating or improving a Wikipedia page can enhance the dissemination of verified knowledge and
improve the reach of academic and institutional work. However, Wikipedia’s community guidelines emphasize neutrality, verifiability,
and notability—principles that require careful attention when contributing content.
This paper outlines the ethical, procedural, and technical steps for creating a Wikipedia article about an academic project or organization,
situating these practices within the broader context of open science and knowledge democracy.
It concludes with best practices to ensure transparency, accuracy, and compliance with Wikipedia’s policies.
Keywords: Wikipedia, open knowledge, research communication, digital literacy, science communication, notability, online credibility
1. Introduction: Wikipedia as a Platform for Public Knowledge
With more than 300 language editions and billions of monthly visits,
Wikipedia is one of the most influential public knowledge platforms in the world
(Wikimedia Foundation, 2024). It is often the first point of reference for students, journalists, policymakers, and citizens.
For researchers and organizations, participating in this open ecosystem represents an opportunity to make verified knowledge more accessible
while contributing to the principles of open science (Pscheida et al., 2020).
However, Wikipedia is not a promotional medium; it operates under strict community norms emphasizing neutrality,
verifiability, and notability (Jemielniak, 2014).
Understanding and adhering to these principles is essential for creating credible and lasting content that aligns with Wikipedia’s ethos.
2. Understanding Notability and Neutrality
The cornerstone of a successful Wikipedia article is notability—the requirement that a topic has received
significant coverage in reliable, independent sources. For an academic researcher, this could include peer-reviewed publications,
citations, awards, or media coverage. For organizations, it may involve press mentions, historical relevance, or
public impact (Wikipedia:Notability, 2024).
Equally important is neutrality. Wikipedia’s Neutral Point of View (NPOV) policy
prohibits promotional tone, advocacy, or conflict of interest (COI) editing. Contributors affiliated with an institution should
avoid writing about themselves directly and instead propose edits on the article’s “Talk” page for community review
(Jemielniak & Aibar, 2016).
Neutrality requires balancing positive and critical perspectives and citing independent sources.
While it may seem restrictive, this principle ensures long-term credibility and prevents reputational bias.
3. Preparing Reliable Sources
Before creating a Wikipedia article, gather a portfolio of independent, verifiable sources that meet the platform’s reliability standards.
These include:
- Peer-reviewed academic articles and monographs.
- Coverage in reputable newspapers, magazines, or media outlets.
- Official institutional reports and third-party analyses.
- Published reviews or citations in scholarly databases.
Self-published sources (e.g., institutional websites, press releases, or social media) should only support factual details,
not establish notability. Wikipedia discourages using primary sources to make claims about significance or interpretation
(Lewoniewski et al., 2020).
4. Step-by-Step: Creating a Wikipedia Page
4.1 Account Creation and User Sandbox
Begin by
creating a Wikipedia account.
This enables access to editing tools and a personal “sandbox”—a private draft space for building the article before publication.
Using a sandbox allows authors to experiment with formatting and citations without affecting live pages.
4.2 Drafting the Article
A good Wikipedia article follows a clear, encyclopedic structure:
Introduction → Background → Key Contributions/Activities → References.
All claims must be cited using reliable secondary sources.
Avoid subjective language (e.g., “pioneering,” “leading,” “prestigious”) and instead present evidence objectively.
Use inline citations with the <ref> tag and a “References” section generated via <references />.
Wikipedia supports citation templates such as {{Cite journal}} and {{Cite web}},
which ensure consistency in formatting (Wikipedia:Citing sources, 2024).
4.3 Submitting for Review
Once the draft meets content and citation standards, submit it through
the
Articles for Creation (AfC) process.
Experienced editors will review it for compliance with community guidelines.
This peer-review model ensures quality control and transparency.
4.4 Maintenance and Updates
A Wikipedia article is never “finished.” Contributors should monitor pages regularly, update information as new
research emerges, and respond constructively to editorial feedback.
Sustained engagement fosters credibility and strengthens the representation of research within the public domain (Okoli et al., 2014).
5. Ethical Considerations: Transparency and Conflict of Interest
Transparency is central to Wikipedia’s community trust. Researchers or organizations editing pages about themselves
must disclose their affiliation on their user page or discussion threads.
The
Conflict of Interest (COI) guideline advises editors to suggest changes rather than edit directly.
This maintains neutrality and avoids reputational manipulation.
Ethical editing also includes respecting copyright and fair use. Text must be original and compatible with Wikipedia’s
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0 license,
ensuring open reuse of content.
Uploading media (e.g., images or logos) requires permission or public-domain status.
6. Benefits of Academic Engagement with Wikipedia
Wikipedia editing aligns with the goals of open science and public engagement.
Studies indicate that incorporating Wikipedia assignments into university courses enhances students’ writing skills,
research literacy, and awareness of open-access principles (Konieczny, 2016; Roth et al., 2020).
For institutions, maintaining accurate pages fosters visibility, transparency, and global outreach.
Moreover, participation in Wikipedia editing can serve as an act of knowledge democratization—bridging the gap
between academic research and public understanding (Ford & Wajcman, 2017).
By sharing verified data and citations, researchers help counter misinformation and strengthen digital public knowledge ecosystems.
7. Conclusion: Wikipedia as a Public Extension of Scholarship
Creating a Wikipedia page for a research project or organization is not merely a technical exercise—it is a civic contribution
to the open knowledge movement. When done responsibly, it aligns with global trends in science communication and digital ethics.
Adhering to neutrality, notability, and transparency transforms Wikipedia editing into a form of public scholarship.
By approaching Wikipedia with respect for its community standards and editorial rigor,
researchers and institutions can contribute to a more informed, accessible, and participatory digital society.
In the new knowledge economy, credibility belongs not only to those who generate knowledge,
but to those who share it responsibly.
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