Memory Alpha:Resource policy

Memory Alpha About → Policies and guidelines → Resource policy

To be the most definitive and accurate encyclopedia and reference for Star Trek, it is necessary for us to restrict which sources of information we accept. This ensures that Memory Alpha remains useful and authoritative for the widest possible range of fans.

Memory Alpha does not promote any particular view or critical judgment of Star Trek or any related materials. This policy exists to facilitate the growth and maintenance of the encyclopedia while minimizing conflict and maximizing fidelity to the source material. With that in mind, archivists should always be tolerant and respectful of other viewpoints, opinions, and conclusions.

Summary of the policy

Articles need to cite each resource used as the basis for their information. Generally, everything seen or heard in any Star Trek episode or film can be used as a resource for a in-universe article.

Information from other valid resources can be used in appendix sections, background notes, and real world articles. For example, dialogue in scripts that was cut from the finished product or information from the Star Trek Encyclopedia should be given in a background note, while information from official novels and similar publications should be included in the article's apocrypha section.

More specific details and exceptions are below, and in our FAQ.

Article types

On Memory Alpha, we differentiate between two types of articles:

  • In-universe articles or Star Trek universe articles. These articles are written about subjects inside the Star Trek universe, using an "in-universe" point of view (POV). Subjects can include people, places, things, concepts, or anything else mentioned or seen in an episode or film. In-universe articles require that all statements of fact be supported by a reference to a valid in-universe source. Failure to cite a valid in-universe source may result in removal or revision of the associated statement and/or article.
  • Real world articles. These articles are written about the Star Trek franchise, using a "meta" or "real world" POV. Subjects can include performers, crew, authors, television or film productions, novels, games, or anything else in the real world related to the Star Trek franchise. Real world articles must include citations to valid Memory Alpha resources, but unlike in-universe articles, these are not limited to in-universe sources.

For information on how to reference sources, see cite your sources or the FAQ.

Valid resources

In-universe resources

The following are valid resources from the episodes and films and may be cited in Star Trek universe articles, in descending order of precedence:

  1. Spoken dialogue (what is spoken)
  2. Visual material (what is visible)
  3. Aural material (what is audible other than dialogue, such as sound effects, coughs, etc.)

Images used in Star Trek universe articles should always be from valid sources. Visual material seen in episodes and films can be supplemented by clearer images of the same material from valid supplementary resources so long as the clearer image does not break the POV (for example, a behind-the-scenes photograph of production art can be used in place of an illegible screenshot of the same material). Recreations of valid material (for example, images of rank insignia or signage) should strive for complete accuracy to the source material.

There are a few exceptions where material not directly seen or heard in an episode or film may be used in a section considered to be in-universe. These exceptions are for clearing up ambiguity about material that was seen or heard for encyclopedic purposes, not for adding material that wasn't in an episode or film. The exceptions are:

  1. To name items or people that were seen or referred to on-screen but were not referred to by name. This is to avoid having people, places, and things on unnamed lists when there was a name for the subject.
  2. To "complete" names for people where promotional material used a "more complete" name than what was given in an episode or film. This is to meet production and reader expectations where the general public was given more information than what made it into the episode or film before release. See the naming conventions for more info.
  3. To date certain events in the Star Trek universe where no specific date was given. This is to avoid having a number of events as happening in a decade instead of a specific year.
  4. To settle other ambiguities in on-screen material, for example: species, spelling, gender, retcons, production mistakes, etc.

A background note explaining the source for the information must be provided if any of these options are used.

In the event that any of this information is contradicted by on-screen information, the information on-screen takes precedence.

Supplementary resources

Production and reference materials

In descending order of precedence, the following resources may be referenced in Star Trek universe articles in appendix sections and in background notes:

  1. Materials from a production:
    • Any writer's/director's guide for a Star Trek series, AKA "writer's bible"
    • Any writer's/director's technical manual for a Star Trek series
    • Any scripts of a production, with the provisions that spelling can be used, but will not take precedence over spelling seen on-screen, and that script versions take precedence in order of date
    • Deleted or alternative takes of scenes from productions as compared to those from the most complete release, such as the difference between a remastered or director's cut when compared to an original or theatrical release
    • Portions of sets, props, makeup, costumes, special and visual effects that were designed, produced and/or utilized, but were ultimately not seen on-screen in a production
    • Film and television teasers, trailers, or other promotional material
    • Materials from undeveloped projects and episodes, such as Star Trek: Phase II
    • Any other behind-the-scenes or production material
  2. Materials from members of a production:
  3. Materials about a production:

Please note that text from these works should not be repeated verbatim in articles. The relevant information should not be referenced in every possible article, but only in the most relevant one. For example, include information about Spock's species on the page for Vulcans, and not in every article that mentions Spock.

Reception resources

Reviews and ratings from professional, published sources are acceptable, though not required, background information, while public reviews and rating polls are not. For example, reviews and ratings from the "all critics" section on review aggregator websites like Rotten Tomatoes are acceptable, while reviews and ratings from the "audience" section are not acceptable.

Nielsen ratings should generally be limited to the first airing of an episode. Reviews from film critics should be used sparingly, generally with a single blurb on either side for neutrality.

Apocrypha resources

The following resources may be referenced in Star Trek universe articles, but should only appear in "apocrypha" sections or background notes:

  • Authorized fiction books
  • Authorized comic books
  • Authorized games
  • Authorized audio dramas

When including apocryphal information, consider the following:

  • Care should be taken regarding the quantity of such information included as Memory Alpha's primary purpose does not extend to detailed coverage of "extended universe" Star Trek. Archivists should use the section more as guidance for further independent study by a reader outside of Memory Alpha than a comprehensive review or extensive description.
  • Generally, cover art and similar imagery should not be used except on the Star Trek franchise page for that material.
  • Apocrypha resources are not to be the basis of an independent Star Trek universe article if not mentioned in or part of an episode or film (for example, characters, ships, and events not part of the episodes are not to have primary articles created for them).
  • As with production and reference materials above, relevant information should not be referenced in every possible article, but only in the most relevant one.
  • Simple name-dropped references should not be mentioned, only instances where information about the subject is expanded upon.

Tolerance in valid resources

The following matters will not affect the validity of a resource:

  • Different actors portraying the same character (for example, Saavik).
  • Differences in actors' appearance over the years (for example, Frakes in "These Are The Voyages..." and Frakes in "The Pegasus").
  • Sophistication of optical effects (for example, streaming stars at warp, CGI).
  • Use of interior sets for exterior locations, or other such matters due to film production capabilities.
  • Production mistakes (for example, microphones in shot; differences due to different "takes" being used in editing; post-production errors or artifacts; etc.).
  • The archivist's assessment of the knowledgeability or trustworthiness of the character who is the source of the resource (for example, Harry Mudd), or the archivist's assessment of the overall accuracy of the information contained in the resource. However, if the character providing a piece of information may not be entirely correct or truthful, archivists are free to use qualifying phrases such as, "Character X stated that..." Any further commentary on the perceived accuracy of a piece of information should be confined to a background note and only given if it is reasonable to question that information's accuracy.
  • Conflicts in valid resources. In writing articles, archivists should be guided by the principle that to the greatest extent possible valid resources should be construed so as not to be in conflict, unless no other explanation is reasonable under the circumstances. A valid resource with a higher precedence can, but does not always have to, be given slightly greater evidentiary weight for the purposes of writing the article from a Star Trek universe standpoint. The conflict still needs to be noted, though.

Invalid resources

The following resources are considered invalid and should generally not be referenced in any article on Memory Alpha:

  • Blueprints, specifications, or diagrams not seen in a valid resource, including such items as Ships of the Star Fleet
  • Fan fiction of any kind, beyond general coverage of the topic
  • Fan reference works of any kind
  • Editorials, such as non-polled top 10 lists or "Star Trek is broken/not broken" YouTube videos
  • External sites, except for citations and properly formatted external links in appendix sections or real world articles