Source transparency
Research and Sourcing Policy
Source quality depends on the claim. Desirables prioritizes primary records and established institutions, then uses reputable secondary analysis to provide context.
Maintained by Desirables. Published 4 August 2026.
Preferred sources
Appropriate sources may include peer-reviewed research, universities, government publications, museums, cultural institutions, professional organizations, manufacturer archives, auction records, recognized market reports, primary historical documents, and identifiable subject-matter experts.
Quotations and statistics
Quotations require an identifiable, checkable origin. Statistics should include their publisher, date, scope, and limitations when those details affect interpretation. Desirables does not use invented experts, studies, survey results, or placeholder citations.
Research notes
New authority articles are designed to include a visible explanation of how the article was researched and a source list. A source supports only the claim for which it is relevant; citation does not imply endorsement of an entire publication.