NPOV policy

1. Neutral Point of View (NPOV)

The **Neutral Point of View** (often shortened to **NPOV**) is a fundamental pillar of Wikipedia and, by extension, any wiki built on the MediaWiki platform. It is *the* cornerstone policy governing how information is presented. Understanding and adhering to NPOV is crucial for anyone contributing to a collaborative knowledge base like this one. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of NPOV, geared towards beginners, explaining its principles, application, common pitfalls, and how to achieve it in practice.

What is Neutral Point of View?

At its core, NPOV means representing significant viewpoints fairly, proportionately, and without bias. It does *not* mean presenting a completely "objective" viewpoint, as absolute objectivity is often unattainable. Instead, it requires acknowledging that different perspectives exist on a given topic and giving them appropriate weight based on their prevalence and reliability within the relevant sources.

Think of it like this: Wikipedia doesn't aim to *discover* the truth; it aims to *report* what has been said about the truth, by reliable sources. We don't decide what *is* true; we document what people *believe* to be true, and who believes it, with proper attribution.

NPOV is not the same as neutrality of the *editor*. Editors are, naturally, individuals with their own beliefs and opinions. However, those personal views should *not* influence the content of the encyclopedia. An editor can, and often should, write about controversial topics, but they must do so by presenting all significant viewpoints, not just their own.

Three Core Tenets of NPOV

1. **Represent all significant viewpoints:** All major perspectives on a topic should be included. This doesn’t mean giving equal weight to every viewpoint, but it does mean acknowledging their existence and presenting them accurately. Minority viewpoints *should* be included, but not given undue weight. Determining what constitutes a "significant" viewpoint relies on reliable sourcing (see below). Consider linking to Verifiability for more information on sourcing.

2. **Proportionate weight:** The amount of space and emphasis given to each viewpoint should be proportionate to its prevalence and importance in reliable sources. A widely held and well-documented viewpoint deserves more coverage than a fringe theory supported by scant evidence. This is where understanding Reliable sources becomes critically important. For example, in an article about climate change, the vast scientific consensus supporting anthropogenic climate change should receive significantly more coverage than a denialist viewpoint.

3. **No original research:** Wikipedia is not a place to advance new ideas or theories. All content must be based on previously published, reliable sources. This means avoiding personal opinions, interpretations, or analyses that aren't found in established publications. This ties directly into the policy on No original research.

Identifying Significant Viewpoints

Determining what constitutes a "significant" viewpoint can be challenging. Here are some guidelines:

• **Reliable Sources:** The most important factor. Viewpoints supported by numerous, high-quality sources are more likely to be significant. Look for academic journals, reputable news organizations, books published by established publishers, and government reports. Avoid blogs, personal websites, and sources with a clear bias. Refer to Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources for a detailed guide.
• **Prevalence:** How widely held is the viewpoint? Is it supported by a large number of people or organizations? Prevalence is often indicated by the amount of coverage it receives in reliable sources.
• **Notability:** Is the viewpoint associated with notable individuals, groups, or events? If a viewpoint is linked to a well-known figure or organization, it's more likely to be significant. Check Notability guidelines for more information.
• **Historical Significance:** Even if a viewpoint is no longer widely held, it may still be significant if it played an important role in the past.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Several common mistakes can lead to NPOV violations. Being aware of these pitfalls is essential:

• **Stating Opinions as Facts:** Avoid phrasing statements as if they are universally accepted truths when they are actually contested. Instead, attribute opinions to their sources. For example, instead of writing "X is harmful," write "According to study Y, X has been linked to harmful effects."
• **Using Biased Language:** Words can carry strong connotations. Avoid using loaded language that favors one viewpoint over another. For example, instead of "terrorists," use "militants" or "insurgents" (though the appropriateness depends on context). Instead of "pro-life," use "anti-abortion rights," and instead of "pro-choice," use "pro-abortion rights." Strive for neutral and descriptive language.
• **Selective Presentation of Evidence:** Presenting only evidence that supports one viewpoint while ignoring evidence that contradicts it is a clear violation of NPOV. Include all relevant evidence, even if it challenges your own beliefs.
• **False Balance:** Giving equal weight to viewpoints that are not equally supported by evidence is known as "false balance." This can be misleading and distort the truth. Remember the principle of proportionate weight.
• **Original Research:** As mentioned before, introducing your own ideas or interpretations is a serious NPOV violation.
• **Advocacy:** Wikipedia is not a platform for promoting specific causes or ideologies. Editors should avoid writing articles that read like advocacy pieces.
• **Tone:** Maintaining a neutral tone is vital. Avoid sarcasm, humor, or emotional language. Write in a formal and objective style.

Achieving NPOV in Practice

Here are some practical steps you can take to ensure your edits adhere to NPOV:

• **Research Thoroughly:** Before writing about a topic, research it extensively using reliable sources. Get a comprehensive understanding of the different viewpoints involved.
• **Cite Your Sources:** Always cite your sources to support your claims. This allows readers to verify your information and assess its reliability. Use the citation tools available in MediaWiki (see Help:Citations).
• **Attribute Opinions:** Clearly attribute opinions to their sources. Use phrases like "According to X," "Y argues that," or "Z believes."
• **Use Neutral Language:** Choose words carefully to avoid bias. Strive for clarity, precision, and objectivity.
• **Be Willing to Compromise:** Wikipedia is a collaborative project. Be prepared to discuss your edits with other editors and compromise when necessary.
• **Seek Feedback:** Ask other editors to review your work and provide feedback on its neutrality.
• **Follow the Edit summary guidelines**: When making changes, briefly explain why in the edit summary. This helps other users understand your reasoning.
• **Utilize Talk Pages:** If you encounter disagreements about NPOV, discuss them on the article's Talk page.

Dealing with Disagreements

Disagreements about NPOV are common on Wikipedia. Here’s how to handle them constructively:

• **Assume Good Faith:** Assume that other editors are acting in good faith, even if you disagree with their views.
• **Discuss on the Talk Page:** The article's talk page is the appropriate place to discuss NPOV concerns.
• **Present Evidence:** Support your arguments with evidence from reliable sources.
• **Be Respectful:** Maintain a respectful and civil tone, even when disagreeing with others.
• **Seek Mediation:** If you cannot resolve a disagreement through discussion, consider seeking mediation from an experienced editor or administrator.
• **Understand Dispute resolution**: Wikipedia offers various methods for resolving content disputes.

NPOV and Different Article Types

The application of NPOV can vary depending on the type of article:

• **Biographical Articles:** Biographies should present a fair and balanced account of a person's life, including both their achievements and their controversies. Focus on verifiable facts and avoid hagiography or demonization.
• **Historical Articles:** Historical articles should present different interpretations of events, based on reliable sources. Avoid presentism (judging the past by present-day standards).
• **Scientific Articles:** Scientific articles should present the prevailing scientific consensus, while also acknowledging dissenting viewpoints (if they are supported by credible evidence).
• **Current Events Articles:** Current events articles should be written in a neutral and objective manner, avoiding speculation or opinion.

Resources for Further Learning

• Wikipedia:Neutral point of view – The official Wikipedia policy page.
• Wikipedia:No original research – Explains the prohibition of original research.
• Wikipedia:Verifiability – Discusses the importance of verifiable sources.
• Wikipedia:Reliable sources – Provides guidelines for identifying reliable sources.
• Wikipedia:What is a reliable source? - A deeper dive into source reliability.
• Wikipedia:Guide to editing - Helpful guide for new editors.
• Wikipedia:Dispute resolution - Methods for resolving conflicts.
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Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines Wikipedia:Consensus Wikipedia:Civility Wikipedia:Edit warring Wikipedia:Assume good faith Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not Wikipedia:Five pillars Wikipedia:Manual of Style Wikipedia:Talk pages Help:Contents

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