Editorial Policy

Sources

Every factual statement links to, or names, a primary source: the organisation that runs a service, the official style guide, the dataset’s own paper, or the standard itself. We prefer empty space to unsupported claims.

No fabricated material

We never invent papers, citations, DOIs, authors, statistics or quotations. Examples used to demonstrate formats, such as sample references, are clearly labelled as fictitious.

Fact, advice and opinion

We separate what is verifiable, such as how a DOI works, from advice, such as reading in three passes, and from judgement, such as what counts as a warning sign. Where practice differs between institutions, we say so and defer to local rules.

Third-party journals and services

We do not label named journals or publishers as “predatory” or “fake”. We teach readers how to check evidence themselves, and link to the independent sources that hold it.

Review and dates

Each page shows the date it was last reviewed. Pages that depend on external services, such as databases, lists or policies, are re-checked at least once a year.

Corrections

If you find an error, write to us via Contact. We correct factual errors promptly and note significant corrections at the foot of the page with the date.

Independence

We do not accept payment for placement or recommendation. If this changes, for example if we introduce advertising, it will be stated on this page and ads will be clearly labelled.

Use of AI tools

Drafting may be assisted by software tools. Every page is checked by the editorial team against the primary sources it cites before publication, and responsibility for the content is ours.