 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Material for which no reliable, published source exists is called "original research." There are various ways to handle it. |
Original research is material saved in article space for which no reliable published source exists, or material that is combined from reliable published sources to advance a position not advanced by the sources themselves.
The addition of original research is a violation of Wikipedia policy. Wikipedia is relied upon by millions as an accurate source of information. Original research compromises it.