Kannada Language Workshop/Resources-Wikidata

Wikidata Basic Training Guide

Wikidata is a free and open knowledge base that acts as a central storage for structured data for Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, and Wikimedia Commons. If you are new to Wikidata, this guide will walk you through the basic steps to get started.

1. Introduction to Wikidata

What is Wikidata?

Wikidata is a database that stores data in a structured format. Each entry, called an item, is identified by a unique ID (Q number). These items can represent entities like people, places, books, concepts, and more.

What can you do with Wikidata?

You can contribute by adding new data, improving existing data, and organizing information to make it more accessible for everyone.

• Always check if the Wikidata item already exists before creating a new one.

2. Wikidata Terminology

• Item (Q): A Wikidata entry representing an entity. Every item has a unique identifier starting with Q (e.g., Q42 represents "Douglas Adams").
• Property (P): A link between items. Each property is identified by a unique identifier starting with P (e.g., P31 represents "instance of").
• Statement: A piece of information about an item, consisting of a property and its corresponding value.
• Qualifier: Additional information that refines a statement (e.g., date of birth in the case of a person).
• Reference: A citation that supports a statement, ensuring the information is verifiable.
• Label: A human-readable name for an item (e.g., "Douglas Adams").
• Description: A short description of an item to help users distinguish between similar items (e.g., "English writer" for Q42).
• Alias: Alternative names or phrases that can refer to an item.

3. Navigating Wikidata

• Search: Use the search bar at the top to find items. Type a name or term, and Wikidata will suggest items and articles based on your input.
• Item page: An item page contains all the structured data associated with the item, including labels, descriptions, statements, and links to related items.
• Properties: Every item can have properties, which link to other items or values. For example, the property P31 ("instance of") can link to the concept of a "human" (Q5) or a "book" (Q571).

4. Adding Data to Wikidata

4.1 Creating a New Item

1. Go to the Wikidata Main Page: Navigate to Wikidata's main page.
2. Click on "Create a new Item": This option is usually found in the sidebar or the top menu.
3. Fill in the Item’s Label: This should be the name of the entity (e.g., "New York").
4. Add a Description: This is a short explanation of what the entity is (e.g., "city in the United States").
5. Add Statements: These provide more structured information about the item. For example, for "New York," you might add statements like "instance of" (P31) → "city" (Q515).

4.2 Adding a Statement

1. Navigate to an Item: Go to an existing item’s page.
2. Add a Statement: Below the labels and descriptions, click the “add statement” button.
3. Select a Property: Choose a property from the list or search for a property like “date of birth” (P569) or “place of birth” (P19).
4. Add a Value: Enter the corresponding value for that property (e.g., a date or another item).
5. Save the Statement: After adding the information, click “Save”.

4.3 Adding a Qualifier

• Click on the "Qualifiers" section next to the statement.
• Select a qualifier (e.g., a specific location, date range, or reason for the statement).
• Add the value for that qualifier.
• Save your changes.

4.4 Adding a Reference

1. After making a statement, click on “Add reference” below the statement.
2. Provide a source (e.g., a URL, publication, or author).
3. Save the reference to back up the statement.

5. Editing and Improving Wikidata Items

• Correcting errors: If you notice errors or outdated information on Wikidata, you can fix them by editing statements or adding new data.
• Adding missing information: You can expand an item's data by adding properties or values that are missing.
• Contributing to multiple languages: You can add translations of labels and descriptions in different languages by clicking on the "add language" button.

6. Best Practices for Contributing

• Provide Reliable Sources: Always use trustworthy, verifiable sources. This ensures the quality and reliability of the data.
• Be Specific: When adding statements or qualifiers, be as precise as possible to avoid ambiguity.
• Avoid Duplicate Entries: Before creating a new item, ensure that it doesn't already exist.
• Use Existing Properties: Don’t create new properties unless absolutely necessary. Use the existing ones to maintain consistency.
• Respect Wikidata's Neutrality: Present information in a neutral manner and avoid inserting personal opinions.
• Notability: Items should meet a certain level of notability, i.e., they should have enough verifiable coverage in reliable sources to justify their inclusion.
• No Original Research: Wikidata is not for publishing new ideas or research. Only existing, verifiable knowledge should be added.
• Maintaining Data Integrity: Always ensure that data is accurate and sourced properly. Add references for any claims you make.

7. Advanced Tips

• Use SPARQL for Queries: Wikidata supports a query language called SPARQL that lets you query the knowledge base for specific data. You can try it at Wikidata Query Service.
• Wikidata Tools: There are several tools and gadgets available for editing, such as the QuickStatements tool for bulk data import and export.

8. Wikidata usage in wikisource

General Guidelines

• Check if the page or Wikidata item already exists before creating a new one.

Author Wikidata

wikidata:Help:Items

wikidata:Help:Statements

wikidata:Wikidata:Living people

Step 1: Create a New Item

• Go to the Wikidata main page and click on "Create a new Item" (or use the link: wikidata:Special:NewItem).
• Fill in the following information:

Label: Enter the author's name (e.g., "John Doe"). Description: Provide a short description (e.g., "American author"). Alias: Add aliases if applicable.

Step 2: Add Statements

• Use wikidata:Help:Statements to describe the author:

Instance of (P31): Use "Human" or "Writer." Occupation (P106): Select "Writer" or another appropriate occupation. Date of Birth (P569): Add the author's date of birth, if known. Works (P800): Link to the author's significant works. Nationality (P27): Specify the author's nationality.

Links to Other Projects

• Add links to related Wikimedia projects (e.g., Wikipedia, Wikibooks, Wikiquote, Wikivoyage).
• Create an author page in the namespace using the s:template:Author template as per the s:Template:Author/doc#Usage_example documentation.

Wikidata for Books

wikidata:Wikidata:WikiProject_Books

• Create two separate Wikidata items for books:
  1. wikidata:Wikidata:WikiProject_Books#Work_item_properties: The book as a conceptual work.
  2. wikidata:Wikidata:WikiProject_Books#Edition_item_properties: Specific editions or translations.

Step 1: Create New Items

• Go to wikidata:Special:NewItem and fill in the following:

Label: Enter the name of the book. Description: Ensure descriptions for work and edition items differ (e.g., "book about folklore" vs. "2020 edition of a book about folklore"). Alias: Add aliases if applicable.

Step 2: Add Statements

• For Work Items:

Instance of (P31): Use "written work." Title (P1476): Add the book title. Author (P50): Link to the main author. Language (P407): Specify the original language. Has Edition or Translation (P747): Link to corresponding edition items.

• For Edition Items:

Instance of (P31): Use "version, edition, or translation." Edition of (P629): Link to the main work item. Language (P407): Specify the language of the edition. Wikisource Index URL (P1957): Add a link to the Wikisource Index page scanned file, if applicable.

Links to Other Projects

• Add links to related Wikimedia projects like Wikipedia or Wikibooks.
• For editions, include links to the transcluded page in the Wikisource namespace.