1. Mission & Core Principles
Aevum Encyclopedia exists to provide free, verified, and universally accessible knowledge. Every contributor plays a role in maintaining this promise. Our work is guided by four non-negotiable principles:
- Accuracy: All claims must be verifiable and backed by reliable sources.
- Neutrality: Articles must present multiple viewpoints fairly, without bias or advocacy.
- Verifiability: If it can't be cited, it shouldn't be included.
- Inclusivity: Knowledge should represent diverse cultures, disciplines, and perspectives.
"We don't just collect information—we curate understanding for future generations."
2. Content Standards
2.1 No Original Research
Aevum Encyclopedia is not a platform for publishing original theories, unpublished data, or personal analysis. All content must synthesize existing, published knowledge from credible sources.
2.2 Neutral Point of View (NPOV)
Avoid loaded language, subjective claims, or promotional tone. Present facts and document consensus or legitimate scholarly debate where it exists. For example, write "Some researchers argue..." instead of "It is widely accepted that..." unless supported by a majority of peer-reviewed literature.
2.3 Sensitive Topics
When covering political, religious, medical, or historically contentious subjects, maintain strict neutrality. Follow established historical consensus, cite primary sources when appropriate, and avoid speculation.
Avoid: absolute claims without evidence, personal anecdotes, promotional content for organizations/people, and unsourced controversial statements.
3. Formatting & Structure
Consistent formatting improves readability and machine-parseability. Follow this structure:
- Lead Paragraph: 2-4 sentences summarizing the topic, its significance, and scope.
- Section Headings: Use hierarchical headings (##, ###). Keep them descriptive and neutral.
- Paragraphs: Limit to 4-6 sentences. Start with a clear topic sentence.
- Terminology: Define technical terms on first use. Use plain language where possible.
- Media: Only embed images, charts, or audio that are publicly licensed and directly relevant. Always provide alt text and captions.
4. Citation & Referencing
Every factual claim, statistic, or direct quote requires a citation. We use a simplified Chicago-style format with inline bracketed numbers.
Acceptable sources: Peer-reviewed journals, academic books, government publications, reputable news organizations, and primary historical documents.
Unacceptable sources: Personal blogs, self-published material, social media posts, wikis, and sources with clear ideological agendas.
If a source is behind a paywall, provide the DOI or archive link. Broken links should be replaced or flagged for the editorial team.
5. Community & Conduct
Aevum Encyclopedia thrives on respectful collaboration. We expect all contributors to:
- Assume good faith in discussions and edit summaries.
- Provide constructive feedback rather than personal criticism.
- Use talk pages for article disagreements, not edit wars.
- Report vandalism or policy violations through the official flag system.
Harassment, hate speech, or coordinated disruption will result in immediate account suspension. We reserve the right to revoke contributor privileges at any time.
6. Review & Publication Process
All new articles and major edits undergo a two-stage review:
- Automated Screening: AI checks for formatting compliance, citation validity, and basic policy violations.
- Human Editorial Review: Subject-matter editors verify accuracy, neutrality, and source quality. Turnaround is typically 3-7 business days.
Edits may be accepted, requested for revision, or declined with explanation. Persistent high-quality contributors gain Verified Editor status, which reduces review times and grants access to protected templates.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit existing articles?
Yes. Minor corrections, typo fixes, and citation updates are welcomed. Substantial rewrites require discussion on the article's talk page.
How do I become a verified contributor?
Submit 5+ articles or significant edits that pass full editorial review. Your account will be automatically evaluated for verification status.
What if I disagree with an edit or deletion?
Use the article's discussion tab to present your case with sources. If unresolved, a neutral third-party editor will mediate.
Is contributing really free?
Yes. Aevum Encyclopedia does not charge for writing, editing, or publishing. All tools and editorial support are free.
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