Wikipedia:Expert editors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For proposals not rejected, see :Category:Pages needing expert attention and Wikipedia:WikiProject_Expert_Request_Sorting.

This is an essay; it contains the advice and/or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. It is not a policy or guideline, and editors are not obliged to follow it.

Shortcuts: WP:EXPERT WP:EX

An earlier version of this page was proposed as a policy or guideline but did not gain consensus. A new version is in development.

Expert editors are potentially of value for Wikipedia because of their in-depth knowledge of subject matter. Jimmy Wales, a founder of Wikipedia, stated in an article published in Nature:

Greater involvement by scientists would lead to a "multiplier effect", says Wales. Most entries are edited by enthusiasts, and the addition of a researcher can boost article quality hugely. "Experts can help write specifics in a nuanced way," he says.^[1]

On the other hand, Wikipedia is The encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and it does not make a distinction between editors based on their expertise. Wikipedia has no formal structure to determine which editors are experts or not (and on which subjects), nor is there the intention to develop such a structure. Nor does Wikipedia grant users privileges or respect based on subject-matter expertise. Quite the contrary, many in Wikipedia view experts with suspicion if not outright contempt. This philosophy has resulted in public criticism of Wikipedia suggesting that the encyclopedia is hostile to experts, and accusing the encyclopedia of anti-elitism. One noted critic who has offered public comment along these lines is Larry Sanger, the former editor-in-chief of Nupedia. ^[2].

This guideline seeks to clarify Wikipedia policies with regard to expert editors, and their role in the Wikipedia community.

1 General
- 1.1 Warnings to expert editors
2 See also
3 References

[edit] General

Subject-matter experts, on any encyclopedic subject whatever, are allowed to edit Wikipedia, and to contribute material on their area(s) of expertise. Experts generally have advantages, both (a) in locating sources for articles (from their familiarity with the literature) and (b) in understanding the material in sufficient breadth and depth to write a good article. The coverage of subjects in the popular press is not necessarily up to date with the recent technical or academic literature (see also: Wikipedia:Reliable sources).
No editor is exempt from fundamental Wikipedia policies concerning acceptability of contributions; in particular, the policies of no original research and verifiability along with guidelines such as reliable sources still apply. Unsourced "expert opinion" and unpublished conjecture have no place in an encyclopedia.
Experts, of course, can be wrong; and different experts can reasonably disagree on the same topic.
Wikipedia does not grant additional powers or respect to subject-matter experts. Wikipedia does not have a process for determining (a) who is a bona-fide expert and on what subject(s), and (b) in which articles a given expert should edit. Given that many editors post pseudonymously, and that it may be difficult or impossible to verify the identity, credentials or experience of an editor who posts under his or her real name (or claims to do so), vetting users as experts is not practical.
In discussions with expert editors, lay editors are encouraged to use experts as a new source of information. Knowing why things are written as they are by the experts will facilitate future discussions.
Despite claims to the contrary from Wikipedia critics, experts (or other editors) do not need to appeal to Wikipedia mediators or arbitrators in order to remove patent nonsense from the encyclopedia. Unsourced claims which are challenged can easily be removed, though they may be reinserted later by others.

[edit] Warnings to expert editors

Experts can identify themselves on their user page and list whatever credentials and experience they wish to publicly divulge. It is difficult to maintain a claim of expertise while being anonymous. In practice, there is no advantage (and considerable disadvantage) in divulging one's expertise in this way.
Editing an article in Wikipedia is not like writing an original research article for a scientific journal; instead, it should be a solid review of the subject as a whole. Wikipedia is not a place to publish original research - even if it is brilliant. Wikipedia's No original research policy does allow an editor to include information from his or her own publications in Wikipedia articles and to cite them. However, this may only be done when the editor is sure that the Wikipedia article maintains a neutral point of view and his material has been published in a reliable source by a third party. If the neutrality or reliability are questioned, it is Wikipedia consensus, rather than the expert editor, that decides what is to be done.
Expert editors can join the WikiProjects concerning their areas of expertise. WikiProjects help articles on related subjects to be coordinated and edited by a group of identified interested parties. All editors are free to join any WikiProject in which they are interested, regardless of expertise.
Experts do not have any other privileges in resolving edit conflicts in their favor: in a content dispute between a (supposed) expert and a non-expert, it is not permissible for the expert to "pull rank" and declare victory. In short, "Because I say so" is never an acceptable justification for a claim in Wikipedia, regardless of expertise. Likewise, expert contributions are not protected from subsequent revisions from non-experts, nor is there any mechanism to do so. Ideally, if not always in practice, it is the quality of the edits that counts.
Expert editors are cautioned to be mindful of the potential conflict of interest that may arise if editing articles which concern an expert's research, writings, or discoveries. When in doubt, it is good practice for a person who may have a conflict of interest to disclose it on the relevant article's talk page and to suggest changes there rather than in the article. Transparency is essential to the workings of Wikipedia.
There is a strong undercurrent of anti-expert bias in Wikipedia. Thus, if you become recognized as an expert you will be held to higher standards of conduct than non-experts.
You will need the thickest of skins. Civility is the most highly valued characteristic on Wikipedia, far more than writing skill or subject matter knowledge. Experts must remain unfailingly civil toward other editors even when deliberately baited or provoked. This is especially difficult because amateur editors often are viewed sympathetically as underdogs in disagreements with experts, and are given leeway not allowed to experts.