Citing sources is crucial to Muppet Wiki. As this database has developed, we've found it ever needful to be sure of our information, and the best way to do that is to clearly identify the source's quotes, background information, and other items which are not located within a production's credits or dialogue. As the many Muppet rumors prove, what's accepted as "common knowledge" is not always fact. Citing specific episodes, books, and newspaper articles supplies a system of checks and balances, and allows for a better wiki.
When someone asks you to cite your sources, it's not necessarily because they don't believe you. Rather, recording the source now helps to future-proof your additions in the case where said information may come into question at a later date.
When to cite sources[]
As often as possible. Especially in cases when the information does not fall within the realm of common knowledge. Some exceptions include the birth or death of a celebrity; unless they're directly connected to our Muppet/Henson coverage, we let media outlets and Wikipedia cover it. In most cases, information that's publicly verifiable (screen credit identifications, widely available biographical info from reliable sources, etc.) does not needed to be cited, or can through external links to official sites, obituaries, and so on. Anything obtained through personal correspondence, from private social media platforms, offline websites, individual interviews or articles, etc. needs to be cited in text.
When information involves uncertainty (such as educated guesses, vague memory, or identifying a performer's voice), or contradictory information exists on separate articles, the best way to address the situation is by raising a question on Forum:Index. If a direct source is found, or sufficient consensus is reached as to the accuracy of the guess, the information is incorporated. No wiki is perfect, of course, and corrections can be made if later reliable sources surface to contradict such claims.
Unreliable sources[]
IMDb and Wikipedia (and other user generated sites that don't cite sources) are generally not citable when it comes to Muppet/Henson productions. Such information should only be added, or entries only brought up, if they are confirmed by screen credits, press kits, or other reliable outside sources. Otherwise, it generally reflects what an unknown user thinks is correct, and in many cases reflects rumors, guesses, or even personal fantasies and outright nonsense.[1]
Memories are also notoriously unreliable as a source of factual information. No matter how sure you think you are that the memory you have of a particular segment or episode is accurate, it probably isn't. Some exceptions may apply for cases in which a considerable consensus is reached. See the Mandela Effect and other false memories.
How to cite sources[]
Sources should be cited using at least a rough variant of commonly accepted academic style, with the author's name, book and magazine titles italicized and article/story titles in quotes, dates, and when possible, publishing houses and page numbers. If a source book already has its own page on the wiki, such as Jim Henson: The Works, citing author, title and page number is generally sufficient.
To cite a specific source for a statement or quote, the following format is used:
<ref>''The Whatever Times'' "Article Title" by John Doe, January 1, 1900</ref>
The heading used for these sections is "Sources", in contrast to Wikipedia's "References," since on Muppet Wiki, references is used to cover allusions within productions to other people, places, and things.
For online sources, format the URL within brackets and include the name of the site or article and not just a raw URL, and specify when it's a video, podcast, or aural interview. <ref>[https://www.source.net Profile of Puppeteer]</ref>
For long podcasts or video interviews, include a time stamp where the specific quotation or information can be located (if more than a single quotation, the time where that portion of the conversation begins).
Messages on social media platforms need to be linked to the specific post or tweet and not just the person's page in general. The rule against raw URL pasting and using proper citation tags still applies. Content should be quoted or at least excerpted (from longer posts) whenever possible, as opposed to "Character mentions this." In some cases, for offline or private messages, screengrabs are also useful, but the date of the post is still needed. If the person's name isn't obvious from the account name or otherwise specified in the text, it should be included in the citation as well. Use this format: <ref>[https://socialmediasite.com/accountname @accountname on Platform Name, July 9, 2024]</ref>
Cite tag[]
When sources are needed for an item, the following tag is used: {{cite}} This generally applies to information which is probably correct, but a precise quotation and citation from the source (such as DVD audio commentaries or booklets) is needed. In other cases, the information has been taken from other websites or databases, such as IMDb, or from anonymous/questionable contributors. The latter situations may require access to arcane, non-Muppet materials/productions, or viewing of programs only available through the Museum of Television and Radio. The "cite" tag serves as a reminder and an acknowledgment of the situation, and should be removed as soon as the item can be either sourced, corrected, or disproven.
Articles that have been embedded with a cite tag can be found in Category:Citations needed.
Other notes[]
When adding new information to passages that already have a source cited, but the existing cited source does not reference the new information, a new source is needed. Otherwise, the new information looks like it's being lumped into the previously cited source; a practice that is most likely done in good faith, but could be seen as malicious. In either case, the addition appears to be properly cited, but is actually misleading.
Sources[]
- ↑ i.e. Talk:Roscoe Lee Browne