MEpedia:Author links

Author links are a field available for inline references that creates a link to the MEpedia entry on the author in question.

Why use author links?
Filling out this field has two main benefits:


 * For authors who have an MEpedia page already, the link gives interested readers a blue link to click on to learn more about the researcher, journalist or other author.


 * If the author does not have a page yet, adding an author link will make their name appear as a red link, but also automatically adds it to the list of wanted pages. That list is organized by how many other MEpedia entries contain a red link to a given term, so making sure to link to an author in each place they are cited lets other editors know which authors are a priority in creating new pages. For instance, an author who has been linked from 15 different MEpedia pages but doesn't have a page of their own yet will appear higher on the list than an author who is only linked from two pages. Making sure to fill out the author link field in all references helps make sure that list accurately reflects how often someone appears in MEpedia.

How to

 * In Visual Editor referencing, "author link" will be one of the fields offered to you. Simply fill it in with the first and last name of the author in question. Typically you should skip any middle initials.
 * Note: Visual Editor offers "author link" fields for up to five authors per reference, but if your reference has more, scroll to the bottom of the reference window and select "Add more information". Type "author link" into the search bar that appears and the dropdown menu will offer you the opportunity to add additional author links, for up to nine authors. If a paper has more than nine authors, the rest must be added in Source Editor (see below).


 * In Source Editor, author links should be a visible field in the journal reference template. Simply fill it in with the first and last name of the author in question, typically skipping any middle initials.