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This document defines how factual verification is conducted within the Craftpedia ecosystem. It applies to all languages, all regional portals and all types of craft-related articles. The aim of this guide is to ensure that Craftpedia articles maintain a high standard of historical and cultural accuracy, aligned with museum-grade documentation practices. __TOC__ == Purpose of This Guide == The Fact-checking Guide establishes: * what must be fact-checked; * where reliable information should be sourced from; * how fact-checkers introduce new information responsibly; * procedures for identifying and correcting inaccuracies; * best practices for verifying terminology, dates, origins, and cultural contexts. Fact-checkers help ensure that Craftpedia remains a trustworthy, academically oriented digital resource. == Role of the Fact-checker == The fact-checker focuses on '''content accuracy''', not language or style. Their responsibilities include: * verifying historical facts, dates, origins, and attributions; * checking claims about materials, techniques, and regional variations; * confirming terminology against museum and academic usage; * identifying unsupported or ambiguous statements; * ensuring that references are authoritative and correctly applied. === Introducing New Information === A fact-checker '''may introduce new facts''' if the following conditions are met: * the information is fully supported by reliable, authoritative sources; * the source is clearly cited in the references section; * the fact-checker provides enough bibliographic detail for others to verify the source; * no speculative, interpretive, or unsourced content is added. In other words: > Fact-checkers may expand and improve articles, but must base all added information on transparent, authoritative evidence. Editors reviewing the article do not need to re-check the fact-checker’s research process; they only need to confirm: * that the source is clearly cited, and * that the source is authoritative. == What Must Be Fact-checked == Fact-checkers must verify the following categories of information: === Historical Background === * origin dates and centuries; * dynasties, eras, and transitions (e.g., Edo period, Ming dynasty); * development of techniques over time. === Geographical Information === * region, prefecture, province, or cultural group; * proper identification of regional schools or styles; * cross-regional influences (e.g., Korean → Japanese porcelain). === Materials and Techniques === * raw materials and their properties; * accurate description of processes and methods; * identification of distinctive technical features. === Terminology === * correct craft names (English + original language); * correct transliteration; * accurate naming of periods, styles, and technical terms. === Cultural Significance === * ritual use; * symbolic meaning; * connections to festivals or ceremonies; * social or historical importance. === Modern Developments === * contemporary workshops or revival movements; * notable modern artists; * museum collections. === Numerical Claims === * dates; * centuries; * production counts (if applicable); * chronological ranges. Every number must be verified. == Acceptable Sources == Fact-checkers must rely on authoritative, reputable, and academically grounded sources. === Primary Sources of High Authority === * museum catalogues and collection descriptions; * publications from major museums (e.g., Tokyo National Museum, British Museum, Met Museum); * academic monographs and university press books; * archaeological reports; * peer-reviewed journal articles; * publications from cultural heritage institutions (e.g., UNESCO, Agency for Cultural Affairs Japan). === Acceptable Online Sources === * official museum websites; * university-hosted resources (.edu, .ac domains); * digitized academic repositories. === Sources Requiring Caution === * artisan websites; * auction houses; * commercial and tourist sites; * general-interest blogs. These may offer context but are not authoritative for historical or technical facts. === Unacceptable Sources === * Wikipedia (use only for orientation, never as a citation); * AI-generated content; * personal blogs; * unsourced claims from random websites. == How to Check a Fact == Fact-checkers should use the following process: # Identify the statement that requires verification. # Consult one or more authoritative sources. # Compare terminology and phrasing across sources. # Ensure the meaning is correctly represented in the article. # Insert or update citations accordingly. # Document major corrections in the edit summary or talk page. If sources conflict: * prefer academic or museum sources; * explain the conflict in neutral terms if necessary. == Handling Disputed or Uncertain Information == Some crafts have ambiguous origins, contested dates, or multiple scholarly interpretations. In such cases: * present the most widely accepted interpretation; * mention alternative interpretations when academically recognized; * use cautious phrasing (e.g., “some sources suggest,” “scholars disagree,” “it is believed that”). Example: : Some researchers attribute the origin of this technique to the early 17th century, while others suggest a late 16th-century development. == Fact-checking Translated Articles == When reviewing translations, fact-checkers must ensure: * no new unsourced claims were introduced; * technical terms remain accurate; * cultural and historical details match the original; * the translation does not distort the meaning of the source article; * transliterations remain correct. Common issues in translations: * mistranslated period names; * incorrect geographic terminology; * oversimplified technical descriptions; * loss of precision. == What to Do When an Error Is Found == If an error is identified: * correct the factual statement; * supply a proper citation; * add an explanatory note if needed; * record major corrections in the edit summary; * notify translators if other languages must be updated. Fact-checkers should avoid rewriting large sections without coordination, unless the content is demonstrably incorrect. == Citations and References == Every article must: * cite authoritative sources for major facts; * include full bibliographic information; * ensure that citations correspond directly to claims in the text. Fact-checkers must confirm: * the reference is authoritative; * the reference actually supports the claim; * the citation is properly formatted. == Version Control and Coordination == Fact-checkers should: * monitor significant updates to articles; * ensure consistency across related articles; * communicate terminology issues to translators and editors; * review changes that affect multiple language versions. Large updates (e.g., new archaeological evidence or reclassification of a craft) should be documented on the talk page. == Common Pitfalls == Fact-checkers must avoid: * relying on Wikipedia instead of its sources; * treating popular websites as authoritative; * using outdated or superseded terminology; * assuming information from one craft applies to another; * ignoring contradictions in sources; * accepting simplified descriptions from non-scholarly sources. == When Fact-checking Is Complete == A fact-checker may consider an article complete when: * all major claims are verified; * terminology matches authoritative usage; * references are present and reliable; * any disputed facts are properly documented; * no unsupported or ambiguous statements remain. == Version History == * 1.1 – Clarified fact-checker responsibilities and added transparent sourcing requirements * 1.0 – Initial release (English)
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