Ikwipedia:Source transparency

Factual claims on Ikwipedia do not necessarily need to be verifiable due to the fundamental unknowability of anything. However, claims ultimately have to come from somewhere, specifically from either individuals or one’s own sense-based experiences combined with cognitive interpretation.

Types of sources

In the case of individual sources, information comes from individuals. For instance, textbooks are authored by one or more scientists with personal experience in the relevant topic and knowledge gained from learning about others' experiments and viewpoints. This information is often derived from other scientists’ review articles, which in turn reference individual research papers. Here, data consists of either personal observations or instrument/tool readouts directly recorded or copied.

All this data is transmissible only as the records of observers, which operates on an implicit honor system. In theory, this system allows individual readers with sufficient knowledge to examine the data along with the authors' statements to form their conclusions. Despite multiple levels of review in the knowledge generation system, the ultimate foundation remains individual recollections and reports.

Source transparency and verifiability

Ikwipedia’s policy on source transparency and verifiability supports the use of previously published primary sources, including public interviews, podcasts, and firsthand or testimonial accounts. Factual claims should be transparently and clearly sourced, connecting each claim to a publicly accessible source whenever possible. This approach allows readers to examine the origins of each claim directly.

While secondary and tertiary sources are preferred, they are not required, as they may be difficult to obtain. This policy aligns with our commitment to provide an objective overview and acknowledges the personal nature of testimonial accounts.

Acceptable Sources

Only previously published sources are acceptable. Editors should strive to include publicly accessible sources, utilizing freely available platforms or archives whenever possible.