Research & visiting guidelines
Begin with a clear question
Define the claim you want to investigate. Record who made it, where it appeared and what would support or challenge it. Keep a source log from the beginning.
Distinguish records from interpretation
Use precise language for primary records, later accounts, folklore and your own ideas. Repetition across websites is not automatically independent corroboration. Preserve uncertainty when a date, identity or reading is unresolved.
Respect places and people
Use authorised access and follow the operator’s current rules. Do not remove objects or enter closed structures. Avoid sharing unnecessary personal details, unsupported allegations or sensitive location information.
Use pictures honestly
Give documentary images accurate captions and keep their source and permission details. Label generated illustrations and reconstructions. Never present atmospheric artwork as proof of a historical event.
Make corrections visible
Check quotations, links and captions before publication. Invite corrections, investigate them and add a dated note when a substantial change alters the article’s meaning.
Keep commercial relationships transparent
Identify paid placements and affiliate relationships beside the relevant content. Keep purchase suggestions distinct from evidence. Commercial support must not be used as a substitute for factual checking.
Before you publish
- Can a reader trace the central claim?
- Are uncertain details labelled?
- Are image captions accurate?
- Have you checked access and reuse conditions?
- Is the next step clear and useful?
Put these principles into practice with our complete guides.