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--- policies:editorial_guidelines [2026/06/01 17:48] – [Tertiary Sources] admin
+++ policies:editorial_guidelines [2026/06/01 17:52] (current) – [No Original Research] admin
@@ Line 184: / Line 184: @@
-===== No Original Research =====
+===== Original Research and Institutional Publication =====
-Michipedia does not publish original research.
+Michipedia generally discourages unpublished original research.
-Editors may not:
+However, Michipedia recognizes that many valuable historical discoveries, genealogical findings, local records, technical papers, and archival projects originate from independent researchers rather than traditional publishers.
-  * Publish personal theories.
+Original research may be included when it has been formally published or endorsed by a recognized institution.
-  * Draw novel conclusions.
-  * Synthesize unrelated facts into new arguments.
-  * Conduct unpublished investigations.
-  * Use articles to advance personal interpretations.
-Articles should summarize information already published by reliable sources. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
+Examples include:
+* Historical societies
+* Museums
+* Universities
+* Libraries
+* Tribal governments
+* Archives
+* Government agencies
+* Educational organizations
+* Research institutions
+To qualify, the work should be:
+* Publicly accessible
+* Attributable to an author or organization
+* Published in a stable location
+* Subject to some level of institutional review or sponsorship
+===== Institutional Seals =====
+Michipedia may recognize verified organizations through an Institutional Seal system.
+Institutional Seals indicate that content originates from, is maintained by, or has been reviewed by a recognized organization.
+Examples may include:
+* University Seal
+* Historical Society Seal
+* Museum Seal
+* Government Seal
+* Tribal Nation Seal
+* Library Seal
+* Research Institution Seal
+Institutional Seals do not guarantee accuracy and do not exempt content from editorial review. They serve as indicators of provenance, authorship, and organizational accountability.
+===== Verified Institutional Contributors =====
+Organizations may apply for verified status.
+Verified organizations may:
+* Maintain institutional pages
+* Publish archival materials
+* Submit research collections
+* Contribute historical records
+* Display approved Institutional Seals
+Verification may require evidence of organizational legitimacy, public presence, or legal existence.
+===== Preservation Principle =====
+Michipedia values the preservation of documented knowledge.
+Information should not be excluded solely because it originated from independent research if that research has been formally published through a recognized organization or institution.
+The goal of Michipedia is to preserve and organize knowledge while providing readers with clear information regarding the source and provenance of that knowledge.
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