Value of WikiData?

Question

Can someone explain to me the value of citing something like this: https://m.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6998671

On a wikitree profile.

I truly am curious. What am I missing?

Comments

There's a partial explanation at How does Wikidata help WikiTree's mission?

---

Thanks for this, Jim. I particularly appreciate reading this:

Wikidata is Not a Source 

Wikidata itself is not the original source for any information. Therefore, it should not be cited as a source on WikiTree profiles. You need to find, evaluate, and cite the original source.

To find the original source to investigate and cite, click the "references" link below any given fact on a Wikidata page, then follow the advice on Help:Sources.

Keep in mind that information on WikiTree may be more accurate than what appears on Wikidata.

Wikidata contains information from a variety of sources, some of which are unreliable, and some of which (like WikiTree) are themselves derived from other sources. This can be confusing and misleading. As stated in a discussion on Wikipedia: "Wikidata's indiscriminate bot sourcing from Wikipedia, from other unreliable sources, and mass import-export with other databases gives false or unreliable information a false appearance of authority. It can become difficult or impossible to trace the origin of claims."

This tells me that if I see WikiData cited on a profile and I go to that Wikidata link and see nothing that adds value, I don't have to feel bad about removing the citation--or better yet, finding a replacement for it. And that if I DO see something of value on the Wikidata page, I should explore the valuable link, and if relevant, cite THAT, not the Wikidata page.

Is there any other reason to retain the link to the Wikidata page *on* a profile?

---

So as to enable the process whereby "WikiTree+, leveraging links added by WikiTree volunteers, utilizes Wikidata for both sides."

---

It also may be worth noting that step 4 of the Notables Project process for creating a notable profile includes putting the link to Wikidata on the profile (as a "See also", not a source), as well as updating Wikidata to include the link to WikiTree - see https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Project:Notables#How_to_Create_a_Notable_Profile. There is therefore a danger that removing the link to Wikidata altogether might just be creating work for members of the Notables Project to put it back.

---

WT+ suggestions will find the Wikidata entry and use it, and others may then need to look at it and decide if it is useful. So I think it would be more helpful not to remove it but to put it under 'see also' with a dated comment that there is currently nothing useful there.

---

Jillaine, I totally agree with you. I go through lots of suggestions weekly, but very seldom look at the Wikidata suggestions since they added the unreliable peerage 'source' to that system.

Answer 1

Wikidata is a great tool to find possible connections. If you haven't used suggestions, you can find and make connections using Wikidata.  While WikiData value as a source may be limited, it should be added to profiles where it is available.

Comments

Some additional information -

If a Notable has a Wikipedia entry:

Add "See also:" under the Sources section, and then add "* Wikipedia: [[wikipedia:Person_Name|Person Name]]" on a new line, replacing "Person_Name" with whatever is in the URL for the notable's entry on Wikipedia after the last slash. (In other words, if the Wikipedia URL is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II, then that line should read "* Wikipedia: [[wikipedia:Elizabeth_II|Elizabeth II]]".)

Click on the "Wikidata item" link in the left-hand menu of their Wikipedia entry. Note the number you see on the top line in medium-sized grey type that begins with "Q". Add "* {{Wikidata|Q1234567}}" on a new line, replacing "Q1234567" with the number you have noted. (For example, Queen Elizabeth's Wikidata number is "Q9682".)

Scroll down the Wikidata page, and check to see if there is a WikiTree ID entry, under Identifiers. If not, click on the "+ add statement" link at the bottom of the Identifiers section; type "WikiTree ID" into the property box (it should bring up a match after you type the first few letters), enter that person's WikiTree ID into the next box, and click on "publish". (For example, Queen Elizabeth's WikiTree ID is "Windsor-1".)

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Wikidata

---

Thanks Russell for the explanation. (By the way, if that is a quote from some WikiTree page, the first "Click on..." bit needs updating, since after a fairly recent change "Wikidata item" now appears in the Tools dropdown menu on Wikipedia pages, not in the left margin menu.)

Answer 2

It's also in the list for pre-1700 sources as unreliable. It belongs only in the See also section.

Answer 3

WikiData is included in the Unreliable Sources Section, not Reliable Sources section, on the Help Page for Reliable Sources 

Comments

Thanks for this (and Bobbie, too)... So if it's considered unreliable, then why would the Notables project (or any other project for that matter, or any other individual) place it on a profile-- even under "See also:" ?

---

I gave a reason above. I don't think there's an idea that Wikidata is a source. As I said, the explanation on the Help page seems partial. Another component may be that 'structured organization allows for easy reuse of data by Wikimedia projects and third parties, and enables computers to process and “understand” it.' A fuller understanding of all this might result from adding the tag  ales  to the question.

---

The Help page actually has Wikipedia and Wikidata listed as Unreliable sources.  The Notables page does say to put both entries, if they exist, in the See also section, but I see many Notables pages where the only source on the profile is the Wikipedia entry and / or Wikidata and they are not in the See Also section.

Maybe Notables should also be added as a Tag to try to get some understanding from the Leaders in that project why they are included, even in See Also, especially when the criteria for Notables is an entry in Wikipedia or they qualify for an entry. Unfortunately very few people seem to add teh actual sources from Wikipedia to any profile.

---

I usually only add this if a wikidata entry exists, but a wikipedia entry does not.

Answer 4

Wikidata is more or less a linking mechanism that advertises where to find information. It is most often used for Notables. On Notable profiles, please DO NOT remove this, as it would be considered damaging to the profiles in that it removes the relationship that is being created through the linking. While there are some non-Notables that I've begun to see this set up on, most times it's for Notables that it is used.

The concept is to help connect disparate information across the internet - sort of like a mini-Google component for those sites that perform research on the individuals in the profiles. While it may seem unnecessary for many of our purposes, when doing profile research, it can be most helpful as it helps to connect to other sites that have information on the person and provides additional research sites that may not have been considered initially.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can move it to a See Also section at the bottom of the sources, but please do not remove it.

Comments

You are absolutely correct not to remove Wikidata. Here is any example to see how you can use WikiData - WikiData example using suggestions.