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Citations and footnotes are essential elements of well-sourced articles. This page covers the different formats used to reference sources on the Lexicanum.
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'''Citations''' and '''footnotes''' (often also referred to simply as ''sources'' or ''sourcing'') are essential elements of well-sourced Lexicanum articles. This page covers the formats used to reference sources on the Lexicanum.
  
==Sourcing==
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==On the importance of sourcing==
'''[[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Sourcing|Sourcing]] is vital.''' Any article created without proper sourcing will be deleted. Source your articles, and help add references to articles without proper citations!
+
The correct use of the sources and the possibility for readers and editors to verify what was used as the basis for an article is what distinguishes the Lexicanum from many other [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki wiki-based] encyclopaedia projects. Only proper sourcing allows to weed out false or fan-made information and to maintain a high level of reliability and quality of content. Therefore the correct use of sources is vital. From a practical point of view citations help anyone editing the article after you, and prevent unnecessary reverts or long discussions about the authenticity of sources. In addition detailed referencing assists other users in their research for these or other related articles. Also generally referring to official sources only means details won't be misremembered or entered vaguely or false information based on hearsay or "urban legends" finds its way into the Lexicanum.
  
'''All sources used must be [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Canon|canon]]'''. All official print material can be used as a canon source, although there may be disputes if, for example, a Novel contradicts a current Codex. For old editions, recent editions take precedent, although information from previous editions may be referred to if properly signposted. Accepted sources and any canonicity issues can be found [[Lexicanum:Canon|here]], and you can always ask the community if you're still unsure!
+
The Lexicanum applies a ''very strict'' policy in this regard: '''Any article created without proper sourcing will be deleted. Any changes to existing articles without proper sourcing will be reverted. This includes not only the addition of text but also of images or other media. Repeat offenders will be [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Banning policy|banned]]. So source your articles properly, and help add references to articles without proper citations!'''
  
==Citing==
+
==What are acceptable sources?==
Sources must be cited by '''Title''', '''Edition''' and/or '''Date''', and '''page number/s'''. This differs for Novels; only '''chapter number''' is required, although a short quotation may also be supplied for clarification.
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'''All sources used must be part of the [[Warhammer 40,000]] [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Canon|canon]]'''. While it is impossible to cover all eventualities this includes all official print or online material. If you are unsure if a source can be legitimately used, ask your fellow users, a [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Sysop|Lexicanum Sysop]] or a [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrats|Bureaucrat]].
  
*'''Citations must be added to the end of each paragraph.'''
+
We are aware that canon sources might contradict each other, but there is no "hierarchy of sources" - i.e. no official source is considered ''more valid'' than another official source. More recent sources do however take precedence over older sources. This does however ''not'' mean that the old information is considered "wrong" and has to be deleted altogether. It is an explicit goal of the Lexicanum to also reflect outdated information - with appropriate disclaimers and explanations.
Even if there is only one source to an article, you ''must'' put a footnote to any and all paragraphs. This is so that if any information is edited or added at a later date then it is clear where the information is from. Further citations can of course be used within the text, but a relevant citation must ''still'' be applied at the end of the paragraph.
+
 
*'''Official sources must be added for ''any'' change or addition of information.'''
+
==Citation format==
Remember to add citations as you add information - this  helps anyone editing the article after you, and prevents unnecessary reverts or long discussions about canon. Referring directly to official sources means details won't be misremembered or entered vaguely.
+
==General requirements==
*'''It is absolutely compulsory to include page numbers (in the case of novels chapter numbers)!'''
+
In general sources must contains the exact '''title''' of the publication as it appears on the Lexicanum and the '''exact location of the information within the source'''. For print publications the latter means pagenumber(s), for e-book formats pagenumbers are not "fixed", therefore in this case chapter numbers are acceptable. In the case of websites the precise sub-link for the source is required. For details and practical considerations see below.
Referring to the source by name only makes it difficult to verify new information. Checking for the exact source helps ensure you're using references that actually directly support the text. Detailed referencing also assists other users in their research for these or other related articles!
+
 
 +
==How often and where do I need to add citations?==
 +
Citations must at least be added at the end of ''each'' '''paragraph''' - even if there is only one source to an article. In other words: It is is compulsory to  include a citation in any and all paragraphs. This also explicitly applies to the introductory sentence or paragraph at the beginning of an article. The reason behind this is that when information from another source is edited or added at a later date it will still be clear where which information is from.
 +
 
 +
If multiple sources are used within the ''same'' paragraph the correct footnotes must be added at the end of the corresponding '''sentence''' - ''not'' in a "collective" citation at the end of the paragraph. If a specific information is found in different sources, multiple footnotes are to be inserted accordingly at the end of the sentence or paragraph. It does however not make a lot of sense to add an huge number of different sources saying exactly the same - common sense and a policy of "not overdoing it" should be applied in these cases. If one sentence contains information from different sources it is best to place the citation directly behind the information it is the source for.
 +
 
 +
===Citations in lists===
 +
Entries into lists (for example about members of an organization) also require citations. However due to space restrictions and because each item in a list also has its own article '''one''' source only is permitted per entry - the complete list of sources can be found in the article proper.
  
 
==How to add citations==
 
==How to add citations==
We use the footnote template to link the in-line citation number with the matching footnote (click the number to see this in action).{{Fn|0}} We use '''<nowiki>{{Fn|#}}</nowiki>''' for the in-line citation number, and '''<nowiki>{{Endn|#}}</nowiki>''' to link to the footnote at the bottom of the page ('''#''' is replaced with the footnote number, starting at '''1''' and running 'til you run out of references). For example:  
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In the Lexicanum the ''footnote template'' is used to link the in-line citation number with the matching footnote (click the number to see this in action).{{Fn|0}} We use '''<nowiki>{{Fn|#}}</nowiki>''' for the in-line citation number, and '''<nowiki>{{Endn|#}}</nowiki>''' to link to the footnote at the bottom of the page ('''#''' is replaced with the footnote number, starting at '''1''' and running 'til you run out of references). For example:  
  
 
:Paragraph of new text, or statement.{{Fn|1}}
 
:Paragraph of new text, or statement.{{Fn|1}}
Line 25: Line 32:
 
<pre>Paragraph of new text, or statement.{{Fn|1}}</pre>  
 
<pre>Paragraph of new text, or statement.{{Fn|1}}</pre>  
  
This footnote is then referenced under the level two "Sources" heading (i.e. <nowiki>==Sources==</nowiki>) at the end of the article:
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This footnote is then referenced as an ''internal'' (most cases) or ''external'' link (for web sites) under the level two "Sources" heading (i.e. <nowiki>==Sources==</nowiki>) at the end of the article:
  
:*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Exemplum (Xth Edition)]], p. 71
+
:*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Blood Angels (3rd Edition)]], pg. 71
  
 
'''Code:'''
 
'''Code:'''
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Exemplum (Xth Edition)]], p. 71
+
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Blood Angels (3rd Edition)]], pg. 71
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
In practice, it should look a little something like this:  
+
In practice, it should look like this:  
 
   
 
   
:This new text has something to prove. It was founded on the ice-world of Hubbleron in late M29{{Fn|2}} and will have citations at the end of each and every paragraph.{{Fn|3}}
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:This new text has something to prove. It was founded on the ice-world of Hubbleron in late [[M29]]{{Fn|2}} and will have citations at the end of each and every paragraph.{{Fn|3}}
  
 
:<big>'''Sources'''</big>
 
:<big>'''Sources'''</big>
:*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Black Templars (4th Edition)]], p. 42
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:*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Black Templars (4th Edition)]], pg. 42
:*{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 286 (UK)]]: ''The Eye of Terror'', pp. 69-70
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:*{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 286 (UK)]]: ''The Eye of Terror'', pgs. 69-70
 +
 
 +
==Sources==
 +
*{{Endn|0}}: This footnote hasn't been researched at ''all''. Click the footnote number to see the in-line citation (it works both ways!).
  
 
==Different formats==
 
==Different formats==
The above example covers most print materials permitted as sources on Lexicanum. Some formats, however, have varying page numbers or irregular formats. They can be cited as detailed below.
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The above example covers most print materials permitted as sources on Lexicanum. Some formats, however, have varying page numbers (for example digital publications depending on the font size used on e-readers or for paper versions different print runs, or different editions like hardback or softback issues) or irregular formats. Therefore we cannot rely on using pagenumbers for sourcing in these cases. Instead information should be cited as detailed below:
  
In the case of '''novels''', no page numbers should be given (they vary between translations and print runs, and will only cause confusion). In this case chapter numbers are compulsory. Chapter names and other divisions (e.g. "Part III") are to be used if that is how the novel is formatted.
+
In the case of '''novels''', chapter numbers are compulsory. If the chapters are not numbered chapter names or other divisions (e.g. "Part III") are to be used. Page numbers ''can'' be given for ''print'' sources (but since they may vary between print runs or format they should be accompanied by additonal information, for example "''printed in the US 2010''" or "''2011 Special Collector's edition''" etc.).
  
:*{{Endn|5}}: [[Phalanx (Novel)]] by [[Ben Counter]], Ch. 2
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So for a typical novel the footnote should look like this:
:*{{Endn|6}}: [[First and Only (Novel)]] by [[Dan Abnett]], Part Three: Fortis Binary, Ch. 4
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:*{{Endn|5}}: [[Phalanx (Novel)]], Ch. 2
 +
:*{{Endn|6}}: [[First and Only (Novel)]], ''Part Three: Fortis Binary'', Ch. 4
  
'''Short stories''' are to be referenced with full title, anthology in which it was published (if applicable), and author. Like novels, page numbers differ between print runs. Unlike novels, short stories don't have chapters to quote.
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'''Short stories''' are to be referenced with their full title (as used in the corresponding Lexicanum article), the anthology in which it was published (if applicable). Like novels, page numbers differ between print runs. Unlike novels, short stories often don't have chapters to quote.
  
:*{{Endn|7}}: ''[[Gauntlet Run (Short Story)]]'', [[Heroes of the Space Marines (Anthology)]], by [[Chris Roberson]]
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:*{{Endn|7}}: [[Gauntlet Run (Short Story)]], [[Heroes of the Space Marines (Anthology)]]
:*{{Endn|8}}: ''[[Apostle's Creed (Short Story)]]'', [[Sabbat Worlds (Anthology)]], by [[Graham McNeill]]
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:*{{Endn|8}}: [[Apostle's Creed (Short Story)]], [[Sabbat Worlds (Anthology)]]
  
 
'''Audiobooks''' are referenced in a similar manner to novels, but using track numbers instead of chapter numbers.
 
'''Audiobooks''' are referenced in a similar manner to novels, but using track numbers instead of chapter numbers.
  
:*{{Endn|10}}: [[Garro: Oath of Moment (Audio Book)]] by [[James Swallow]], Track 13: The Oath
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:*{{Endn|10}}: [[Garro: Oath of Moment (Audio Book)]], Track 13: ''The Oath''
  
==Web Site Sourcing==
+
==Citing multiple references from the same source==
Only official Games Workshop (and subsidiaries) websites should be listed as a source.  
+
If the article you are editing or creating requires sourcing from more than one page of the source (e.g. different pages of the same book), then the main source must be listed under the main footnote number as a normal (i.e. non-footnote template) number (e.g. "16"), and the individual pages or chapters listed under the same number ''with consecutive letters added'' with the proper footnote template (e.g. <nowiki>{{Endn|16a}}</nowiki>, <nowiki>{{Endn|16b}}</nowiki>, <nowiki>{{Endn|16c}}</nowiki>...).
===PDF files===
+
 
You cannot link directly to a .pdf document. GW & Lexicanum policies state you must link to the Terms of Use that leads to the .pdf file. And only to .pdf files that are posted on an official GW site.
+
'''Example:'''
===Active Sites===
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:Statement sourced from one section of source material {{Fn|16a}} ... end of paragraph with citation for a ''different section'' of the ''same'' source material.{{Fn|16b}}
When citing a web site, use the same process as citing a GW publication. Also include a notation of when you viewed the site using ISO date notation (YYYY.MM.DD).  
 
  
:*{{Endn|12}}: [http://www.armageddon3.com/ Armageddon 3 Web Site] ''(site accessed 2007.02.17)''
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The footnotes for these citations are placed below the main source as an indented column by adding two asterisks (**) at the start of each footnote line. The source material is listed at the top, with a single asterisk (and without usinf the footnote template) (*).
 +
 
 +
:<big>'''Sources'''</big>
 +
:*16: [[Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)]]:
 +
:**{{Endn|16a}}: pg. 27
 +
:**{{Endn|16b}}: pg. 31
 +
:**{{Endn|16c}}: pg. 49
 +
:**{{Endn|16c}}: pgs. 49-51
 +
 
 +
==Web site sourcing==
 +
Only official [[Games Workshop]] (and subsidiaries or license holders) websites can be used as a source. Do not link to third party websites illegally hosting copyrighted material.
 +
 
 +
===Active sites===
 +
When citing a active web site, use the same process as citing any other allowed publication. This means that you must include an ''extenal'' link containing the name of the webpage ''and'' of the specific sub-page used as a source. You must also include a notation of when you viewed the site:
 +
 
 +
:*{{Endn|12}}: [http://www.armageddon3.com/ Armageddon 3] ''(last accessed 17 February 2007)''
  
 
'''Code:'''
 
'''Code:'''
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
*{{Endn|12}}: [http://www.armageddon3.com/ Armageddon 3 Web Site] ''(site accessed 2007.02.17)''
+
*{{Endn|12}}: [http://www.armageddon3.com/ Armageddon 3] ''(last accessed 17 February 2007)''
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
===Inactive Sites===
+
 
A website that has been removed should not be listed as a source. However, if a site that had been listed as a source (see above) has been taken down, the citation should be changed as follows:
+
===Inactive, non-archived sites===
 +
A website that has been removed from the internet should ''if possible'' not be used as a source. Sometimes it is however impossible to avoid it, specifically when the removed website was the only source in existence. In this case the citation has to be changed as follows:
 
# Remove the link brackets <nowiki>[ ]</nowiki>
 
# Remove the link brackets <nowiki>[ ]</nowiki>
 
# Place <nowiki><nowiki></nowiki></nowiki> tags around the URL. This will keep it from becoming a link.
 
# Place <nowiki><nowiki></nowiki></nowiki> tags around the URL. This will keep it from becoming a link.
# Add notation that the site is no longer active, including the last access date.
+
# Add notation that the site is no longer active and not archived, including the last access date.
  
 
'''Example:'''
 
'''Example:'''
  
:*{{Endn|14}}: <nowiki>http://www.badabwar.com</nowiki> ''(site is no longer active, accessed 2006.07.12)''
+
:*{{Endn|14}}: <nowiki>http://www.badabwar.com</nowiki> ''(site no longer online, no archived version found, last accessed 12 July 2006)''
  
 
'''Code:'''
 
'''Code:'''
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
*{{Endn|14}}: <nowiki><nowiki>http://www.badabwar.com</nowiki></nowiki> ''(site is no longer active, accessed 2006.07.12)''
+
*{{Endn|14}}: <nowiki><nowiki>http://www.badabwar.com</nowiki></nowiki> ''(site no longer online, no archived version found, last accessed 12 July 2006)''
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
==Citing multiple references from the same source==
+
===Inactive, archived sites===
If the article you are editing requires sourcing from more than one page of the material (e.g. different pages of the same Codex), then the main source must be listed under the main footnote number (e.g. 16), and the individual pages or chapters listed under the same number ''with consecutive letters added'' (e.g. 16a, 16b, 16c...).
+
If a website has been removed from the internet there is a chance that an archived version of the site still exists, for example in the [http://web.archive.org/ Internet Archive] (also known simply as the ''Wayback Machine''). In this case the formatting of the footnote should look look like this:
  
 
'''Example:'''
 
'''Example:'''
:Statement sourced from one section of source material {{Fn|16a}} ... end of paragraph with citation for a ''different section'' of the ''same'' source material.{{Fn|16b}}
 
  
The footnotes for these citations are are placed below the main source as an indented column by adding two asterisks (**) at the start of each footnote line. The source material is listed at the top, with a single asterisk (*).
+
:*{{Endn|11}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20110211195348/http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m70041a_Strategy_cards_4 Games Workshop: Strategy Cards] for [[Planetary Empires]] expansion game, card ''"Hatred - Minor Stratagem"'', ''(saved archive page, dated February 2011, last accessed 6 October 2015)''
  
:<big>'''Sources'''</big>
+
'''Code:'''
:*{{Endn|16}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)]]
+
<pre>
:**{{Endn|16a}}: p. 27
+
:*{{Endn|11}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20110211195348/http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m70041a_Strategy_cards_4 Games Workshop: Strategy Cards] for [[Planetary Empires]] expansion game, card ''"Hatred - Minor Stratagem"'', ''(saved archive page, dated February 2011, last accessed 6 October 2015)''
:**{{Endn|16b}}: p. 31
+
</pre>
:**{{Endn|16c}}: p. 49
 
 
 
''Please practice testing this function in the [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Immaterium|Immaterium]].''
 
  
 
==Tagging missing citations==
 
==Tagging missing citations==
Line 116: Line 138:
  
 
==Old styles of citation==
 
==Old styles of citation==
Older forms of citation included the manual use of superscript (<nowiki><sup> </sup></nowiki>) and [[Template:Howtosource|comment tags]]; whenever an Adept comes across this blasphemous formatting, they are urged to purge it with righteous fire, replacing it with the current citation method.
+
Older forms of citation included the manual use of superscript (<nowiki><sup> </sup></nowiki>) and ''comment tags''. When encountered these outdated and outlawed citation styles should be replaced by the current citation method.
 
 
==Sources==
 
*{{Endn|0}}: This footnote hasn't been researched at ''all''. Click the footnote number to see the in-line citation (it works both ways!).
 
 
 
==See also==
 
*[[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Sourcing|Sourcing]]
 
*[[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Canon|Canon]]
 
*[[Template:Fn]]
 
*[[Template:Endn]]
 
 
 
==Text dump from "Sourcing"==
 
{{WIP}}
 
'''Sourcing''' in Lexicanum is important to maintain a professional and objective insight into the Warhammer 40,000 universe. To this end, please follow these rules although variation is expected.
 
 
 
==Basics==
 
Throughout the article you are creating, at the end of paragraphs you must put a number to identify where the information in the paragraph came from. Also, if there is information from more than one source in one paragraph, you should put the relevant number at the relevant point in the text. This is shown here:
 
 
 
"Wikipedia rules <sup>1</sup>. The source for this text is coming from me rather than Wikipedia<sup>2</sup>. If I then said that Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia I would have to source it <sup>1</sup>."
 
 
 
You can also source bulk text in the same way, just don't think you have to source every single sentence!
 
 
 
Even if there is only one source to a article, you '''MUST''' put a foornote to any and all paragraphs. This is so that if any information is added at a later date then it is clear where information is from.
 
 
 
==Doing numbers==
 
To produce the small, superscript numbers you should type <nowiki><sup></nowiki> (short for superscript), then the number, and then <nowiki></sup></nowiki>. A full example would be <nowiki><sup>1</sup></nowiki>. You can put anything you like between the sups, but we suggest only using a number as that is how it is done throughout Lexicanum.
 
 
 
An alternative way to create superscript numbers is the [[Template:C]].
 
 
 
==At the end==
 
At the end of the text, you should create a level two heading (<nowiki>==Headline Text==</nowiki>) entitled Sources (i.e. <nowiki>==Sources==</nowiki>) under which you will put the proper name of the source and page number referenced. You can use both internal and external links and most of the sources you will use will be something we have an internal article on. To do this, put a star (*) and type the sup of the article you wish to source from. Then place a colon after the <nowiki></sup></nowiki> and type the link in. An example is:
 
<table><tr><td>
 
==Sources==
 
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)]] Page 3
 
*<sup>2</sup>:[[Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)]] Page 1
 
*<sup>3</sup>:[[Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy]] Page 17
 
*<sup>4</sup>:[[Imperial Armour: Volume 4 - The Anphelion Project]] Page 49
 
</td></tr></table>
 
 
 
==Referencing multiple pages from one source==
 
If the article you are editing requires sourcing from more than one page of the material e.g. a [[Novels|Novel]] or [[Codex]], then add a letter, starting in alphabetical order, to the sourced body of text alongside the number of the original source as you would when normally sourcing.e.g.:
 
 
 
<nowiki>Horus revolted against the Imperium.<sup>1a</sup> ... But was ultimately defeated at great cost.<sup>1b</sup>
 
</nowiki>
 
 
 
'''Displays as:'''
 
 
 
Horus revolted against the Imperium.<sup>1a</sup> ... But was ultimately defeated at great cost.<sup>1b</sup>
 
 
 
 
 
Then add a sub section below the original source by putting two <nowiki>(*)</nowiki> and create superscript with letters instead e.g.:
 
 
 
<nowiki>==Sources==
 
*<sup>1</sup>: [[Codex Example]]:
 
**<sup>a</sup>: p. 22
 
**<sup>b</sup>: Chapter 6</nowiki>
 
 
 
'''Displays as:'''
 
<table><tr><td>
 
==Sources==
 
*<sup>1</sup>: [[Codex Example]]:
 
**<sup>a</sup>: p. 22
 
**<sup>b</sup>: Chapter 6
 
</td></tr></table>
 
 
 
In the case of Codices, a page number is needed, whereas with novels a Chapter number can suffice if you are extracting a large amount of information from said chapter. However if the information is only on a precise few pages then they must be sourced precisely, similar to the codex style. Short Stories may be sourced by only their title.
 
 
 
==Web Site Sourcing==
 
Only official Games Workshop (and subsidiaries) websites should be listed as a source.
 
===PDF files===
 
You cannot link directly to a .pdf document. GW & Lexicanum policy state you must link to the Terms of Use that leads to the .pdf file. And only to .pdf files that are posted on an official GW site.
 
===Active Sites===
 
When citing a web site, use the same process as citing a GW publication.  Also include a notation of when you viewed the site using ISO date notation (YYYY.MM.DD). Example:
 
<table><tr><td>
 
*<sup>1</sup>:[http://www.armageddon3.com/ Armageddon 3 Web Site] ''(site accessed 2007.02.17)''
 
</td></tr></table>
 
===Inactive Sites===
 
A website that has been removed should not be listed as a source. However, if a site that had been listed as a source (see above) has been taken down, the citation should be changed as follows:
 
# Remove the link brackets <nowiki>[ ]</nowiki>
 
# Place <nowiki><nowiki></nowiki></nowiki> tags around the URL. This will keep it from becomming a link.
 
# Add notation that the site is no longer active.
 
Example:
 
{|
 
|*<sup>1</sup>:<nowiki>http://www.badabwar.com</nowiki> ''(site is no longer active, accessed 2006.07.12)''
 
|}
 
Here is the coding:
 
{|
 
|*<sup>1</sup>:<nowiki>&lt;nowiki&gt;http://www.badabwar.com&lt;/nowiki&gt;</nowiki> <nowiki>''(site is no longer active, accessed 2006.07.12)''</nowiki>
 
|}
 
 
 
==Examples of Good Sourcing==
 
* The [[Thousand Sons]] article
 
* The [[Imperial Fists]] article
 
  
==Old Sourcing==
+
==Examples of good sourcing==
The older and out of use form of sourcing can be found here: [[Lexicanum:Sourcing (old)]].
+
* ''to be found''
  
 
[[Category: Lexicanum Help|Citation]]
 
[[Category: Lexicanum Help|Citation]]

Revision as of 21:15, 12 July 2019

Grotwrench.jpg Attention Adept of the LEXICANUM!

This article is being created or revised.
Please consider this before you edit this text!

Citations and footnotes (often also referred to simply as sources or sourcing) are essential elements of well-sourced Lexicanum articles. This page covers the formats used to reference sources on the Lexicanum.

On the importance of sourcing

The correct use of the sources and the possibility for readers and editors to verify what was used as the basis for an article is what distinguishes the Lexicanum from many other wiki-based encyclopaedia projects. Only proper sourcing allows to weed out false or fan-made information and to maintain a high level of reliability and quality of content. Therefore the correct use of sources is vital. From a practical point of view citations help anyone editing the article after you, and prevent unnecessary reverts or long discussions about the authenticity of sources. In addition detailed referencing assists other users in their research for these or other related articles. Also generally referring to official sources only means details won't be misremembered or entered vaguely or false information based on hearsay or "urban legends" finds its way into the Lexicanum.

The Lexicanum applies a very strict policy in this regard: Any article created without proper sourcing will be deleted. Any changes to existing articles without proper sourcing will be reverted. This includes not only the addition of text but also of images or other media. Repeat offenders will be banned. So source your articles properly, and help add references to articles without proper citations!

What are acceptable sources?

All sources used must be part of the Warhammer 40,000 canon. While it is impossible to cover all eventualities this includes all official print or online material. If you are unsure if a source can be legitimately used, ask your fellow users, a Lexicanum Sysop or a Bureaucrat.

We are aware that canon sources might contradict each other, but there is no "hierarchy of sources" - i.e. no official source is considered more valid than another official source. More recent sources do however take precedence over older sources. This does however not mean that the old information is considered "wrong" and has to be deleted altogether. It is an explicit goal of the Lexicanum to also reflect outdated information - with appropriate disclaimers and explanations.

Citation format

General requirements

In general sources must contains the exact title of the publication as it appears on the Lexicanum and the exact location of the information within the source. For print publications the latter means pagenumber(s), for e-book formats pagenumbers are not "fixed", therefore in this case chapter numbers are acceptable. In the case of websites the precise sub-link for the source is required. For details and practical considerations see below.

How often and where do I need to add citations?

Citations must at least be added at the end of each paragraph - even if there is only one source to an article. In other words: It is is compulsory to include a citation in any and all paragraphs. This also explicitly applies to the introductory sentence or paragraph at the beginning of an article. The reason behind this is that when information from another source is edited or added at a later date it will still be clear where which information is from.

If multiple sources are used within the same paragraph the correct footnotes must be added at the end of the corresponding sentence - not in a "collective" citation at the end of the paragraph. If a specific information is found in different sources, multiple footnotes are to be inserted accordingly at the end of the sentence or paragraph. It does however not make a lot of sense to add an huge number of different sources saying exactly the same - common sense and a policy of "not overdoing it" should be applied in these cases. If one sentence contains information from different sources it is best to place the citation directly behind the information it is the source for.

Citations in lists

Entries into lists (for example about members of an organization) also require citations. However due to space restrictions and because each item in a list also has its own article one source only is permitted per entry - the complete list of sources can be found in the article proper.

How to add citations

In the Lexicanum the footnote template is used to link the in-line citation number with the matching footnote (click the number to see this in action).[0] We use {{Fn|#}} for the in-line citation number, and {{Endn|#}} to link to the footnote at the bottom of the page (# is replaced with the footnote number, starting at 1 and running 'til you run out of references). For example:

Paragraph of new text, or statement.[1]

Code:

Paragraph of new text, or statement.{{Fn|1}}

This footnote is then referenced as an internal (most cases) or external link (for web sites) under the level two "Sources" heading (i.e. ==Sources==) at the end of the article:

Code:

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Blood Angels (3rd Edition)]], pg. 71

In practice, it should look like this:

This new text has something to prove. It was founded on the ice-world of Hubbleron in late M29[2] and will have citations at the end of each and every paragraph.[3]
Sources

Sources

  • 0: This footnote hasn't been researched at all. Click the footnote number to see the in-line citation (it works both ways!).

Different formats

The above example covers most print materials permitted as sources on Lexicanum. Some formats, however, have varying page numbers (for example digital publications depending on the font size used on e-readers or for paper versions different print runs, or different editions like hardback or softback issues) or irregular formats. Therefore we cannot rely on using pagenumbers for sourcing in these cases. Instead information should be cited as detailed below:

In the case of novels, chapter numbers are compulsory. If the chapters are not numbered chapter names or other divisions (e.g. "Part III") are to be used. Page numbers can be given for print sources (but since they may vary between print runs or format they should be accompanied by additonal information, for example "printed in the US 2010" or "2011 Special Collector's edition" etc.).

So for a typical novel the footnote should look like this:

Short stories are to be referenced with their full title (as used in the corresponding Lexicanum article), the anthology in which it was published (if applicable). Like novels, page numbers differ between print runs. Unlike novels, short stories often don't have chapters to quote.

Audiobooks are referenced in a similar manner to novels, but using track numbers instead of chapter numbers.

Citing multiple references from the same source

If the article you are editing or creating requires sourcing from more than one page of the source (e.g. different pages of the same book), then the main source must be listed under the main footnote number as a normal (i.e. non-footnote template) number (e.g. "16"), and the individual pages or chapters listed under the same number with consecutive letters added with the proper footnote template (e.g. {{Endn|16a}}, {{Endn|16b}}, {{Endn|16c}}...).

Example:

Statement sourced from one section of source material [16a] ... end of paragraph with citation for a different section of the same source material.[16b]

The footnotes for these citations are placed below the main source as an indented column by adding two asterisks (**) at the start of each footnote line. The source material is listed at the top, with a single asterisk (and without usinf the footnote template) (*).

Sources

Web site sourcing

Only official Games Workshop (and subsidiaries or license holders) websites can be used as a source. Do not link to third party websites illegally hosting copyrighted material.

Active sites

When citing a active web site, use the same process as citing any other allowed publication. This means that you must include an extenal link containing the name of the webpage and of the specific sub-page used as a source. You must also include a notation of when you viewed the site:

Code:

*{{Endn|12}}: [http://www.armageddon3.com/ Armageddon 3] ''(last accessed 17 February 2007)''

Inactive, non-archived sites

A website that has been removed from the internet should if possible not be used as a source. Sometimes it is however impossible to avoid it, specifically when the removed website was the only source in existence. In this case the citation has to be changed as follows:

  1. Remove the link brackets [ ]
  2. Place <nowiki></nowiki> tags around the URL. This will keep it from becoming a link.
  3. Add notation that the site is no longer active and not archived, including the last access date.

Example:

  • 14: http://www.badabwar.com (site no longer online, no archived version found, last accessed 12 July 2006)

Code:

*{{Endn|14}}: <nowiki>http://www.badabwar.com</nowiki> ''(site no longer online, no archived version found, last accessed 12 July 2006)''

Inactive, archived sites

If a website has been removed from the internet there is a chance that an archived version of the site still exists, for example in the Internet Archive (also known simply as the Wayback Machine). In this case the formatting of the footnote should look look like this:

Example:

Code:

:*{{Endn|11}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20110211195348/http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m70041a_Strategy_cards_4 Games Workshop: Strategy Cards] for [[Planetary Empires]] expansion game, card ''"Hatred - Minor Stratagem"'', ''(saved archive page, dated February 2011, last accessed 6 October 2015)''

Tagging missing citations

If you stumble upon an article or a sentence that needs a verifiable source, you should use one of the following templates. Place the template at the bottom of the page, directly above the citations section.

{{Cite}}

For articles that do not have sources at all, or have very few.

{{Add'l cite}}

For articles that already have some sources, but need further work.

{{Cite section}}

For article sections that are not explicitly linked to a source, and whose canonicity is disputed.

{{Cite This}}

For sentences that are not explicitly linked to a source, and whose canonicity is disputed. This template is also used on footnotes that lack page numbers (or novel chapters).

Old styles of citation

Older forms of citation included the manual use of superscript (<sup> </sup>) and comment tags. When encountered these outdated and outlawed citation styles should be replaced by the current citation method.

Examples of good sourcing

  • to be found