Ikwipedia:Source transparency: Difference between revisions

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=== Philosophical stance on sources of knowledge ===
=== Philosophical stance on sources of knowledge ===


Knowledge, whether in science, history, or any other domain, comes primarily from direct observation or the reports of individuals. Textbooks, for example, are authored by scientists who draw from personal research experiences and insights gained from studying others' work. Review articles, in turn, reference these individual research papers, where data consists of observations or instrument readings. Ultimately, even rigorously reviewed information depends on the honor system, with readers trusting that reported observations are accurately conveyed.
Knowledge, whether in science, history, or any other domain, comes primarily from direct observation or the reports of individuals. Textbooks, for example, are authored by scientists who draw from personal research experiences and insights gained from studying others' work in order to synthesize findings from sources such as review articles. Review articles, in turn, reference individual research papers, where data consists of personal observations using the senses or instrument readings. Ultimately, even rigorously reviewed information depends on the honor system, with readers trusting that reported observations are accurately conveyed.


This reliance on individuals' reports creates an implicit need for transparency. Readers equipped with enough background can theoretically examine both raw data and author interpretations to form their own conclusions. Despite various review layers in knowledge generation, the ultimate source remains individual accounts and records.
This reliance on individuals' reports creates an implicit need for transparency. Readers equipped with enough background can theoretically examine both raw data and author interpretations to form their own conclusions. Despite various review layers in knowledge generation, the ultimate source remains individual accounts and records.