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Contributor Guide

Everything you need to know to create, edit, and verify knowledge for the world's most comprehensive encyclopedia.

Welcome & Mission

Welcome to the Aevum Encyclopedia contributor community. We are building a living, breathing repository of human knowledge — verified, accessible, and beautifully structured. Every article you write or edit helps millions of learners, researchers, and curious minds.

💡 Our Core Principle

All content must be neutral, verifiable, and written for a global audience. We prioritize accuracy over speed and clarity over complexity.

Getting Started

Begin your journey as an Aevum contributor in four simple steps. No prior experience is required, but a commitment to quality is essential.

1

Create an Account

Sign up using your email or institutional credentials. Enable two-factor authentication for security.

2

Complete Onboarding

Finish the interactive 15-minute training module covering guidelines, citation standards, and the editor interface.

3

Verify Your Expertise

Optionally submit credentials (degrees, publications, ORCID) to gain elevated editing privileges in specific domains.

4

Start Editing

Browse "Wanted Articles" or "Needs Improvement" tags to find your first contribution opportunity.

Editorial Guidelines

High-quality content starts with clear standards. Follow these principles to ensure your contributions meet Aevum's rigorous criteria.

Structure & Formatting

  • Begin every article with a clear, concise lead paragraph summarizing the topic.
  • Use hierarchical headings (H2, H3) logically; avoid skipping levels.
  • Keep paragraphs between 3–5 sentences for readability across devices.
  • Use tables, lists, and infographics sparingly and only when they clarify complex data.

Citation Standards

All factual claims, statistics, and direct quotes must be cited using Aevum's standardized citation format (based on Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.).

⚠️ Prohibited Sources

Self-published blogs, unsourced social media, promotional material, and unverified forums are not acceptable references. When in doubt, prioritize peer-reviewed journals, official publications, and recognized academic institutions.

Tone & Neutrality

Write objectively. Avoid first-person narration, rhetorical questions, and emotionally charged language. Present multiple viewpoints on controversial topics fairly, attributing claims to their sources.

Review Process

Every edit passes through a transparent, multi-stage verification pipeline before going live.

  1. AI Pre-Screening: Automated checks for formatting, citation validity, plagiarism, and policy violations.
  2. Peer Review: Subject-matter experts in the relevant category review content for accuracy and depth.
  3. Final Approval: Senior editors perform a quality pass and publish to the live database.

Most submissions are processed within 48–72 hours. You will receive detailed feedback if revisions are needed. Rejected edits are never penalized; they are learning opportunities.

Code of Conduct

Aevum thrives on respectful collaboration. By contributing, you agree to:

  • Treat all contributors, editors, and readers with professionalism and respect.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest. Declare affiliations when editing topics related to your work.
  • Never engage in vandalism, spam, or coordinated editing campaigns to manipulate content.
  • Report violations using the in-editor flag system. Harassment or malicious behavior results in immediate account suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit articles outside my field of expertise?

Yes! While domain experts get priority in specialized fields, general knowledge topics welcome all contributors. The review process ensures accuracy regardless of your background.

How do I request a new article?

Use the "Suggest Topic" form in your contributor dashboard. Include a brief rationale, potential sources, and target category. Editors review suggestions weekly.

Are contributions monetized or credited?

Contributions are non-monetized but fully attributed. Contributors earn reputation badges, priority review status, and optional certification letters for verified expertise.

What happens if my edit is rejected?

You'll receive specific feedback explaining the issue. Revisions can be resubmitted immediately. Repeated policy violations may trigger a temporary restriction.

Ready to Shape Knowledge?

Join 180,000+ contributors building the future of accessible, verified information. Your expertise matters.

Create Contributor Account →

Need help? Contact the Editorial Team at contributors@aevum.edu