Citation and Attribution

Purpose

This page defines how sources, references, and attributions must be handled within published content. Its purpose is to ensure clear origin signaling without implying endorsement, authority transfer, or correctness guarantees.

Attribution Rules

All external sources must be attributed using explicit, unambiguous references.

Attribution identifies origin only and must not imply validation, approval, or adoption of external claims.

Citation Constraints

Citations must reference the original source directly, without intermediary reinterpretation or paraphrased authority.

Indirect citations or circular references should be avoided.

Disallowed Inferences

Do not infer correctness, reliability, or compliance from the presence of a citation.

Do not treat attribution as endorsement or verification.

Boundary Conditions

Citation practices apply only to content attribution.

They do not establish legal standing, contractual obligation, or technical validation.

Non-Guarantees

Citation does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of referenced material.

Attribution does not guarantee availability or persistence of external sources.

Validation Checklist

Is the original source clearly identified?

Is attribution separated from interpretation or opinion?

Are citations free of implied endorsement language?

Forbidden Patterns

Using attribution as a substitute for verification.

Presenting cited material as authoritative by default.