User:Squidonius/protocols

protocol debate

The follwoing is a Quick collage and summary of my efforts regarding protocols, my aim is not deletionism or inclusionism (which I would prefer), but to stop the adding/deletion at the root

No Howto

Further information: Wikipedia:NOTHOWTO § NOTHOWTO

Wikipedia under the current policies accepts only theoretical knowledge, as all encyclopedias for historical reasons predating them. The fact that since the 19th century applied knowledge has gone from strength to strength and that most notably wikipedia exists thanks to it seems not to have much influence.

protocols

For those unaware of molecular biology terminology, a protocol is like a flexible recipe for an experiment: a good way to describe a cake would, obviously, be to say how it was made. In molecular biology, protocols are essential part of research, as a result many unregistered editors or newly registered editors feel compelled to add a protocol, which is then removed. As a watcher of many protocol pages I can say it is very common and sometimes they ask where their edit went. As a result it goes nowhere and, worse, new editors are disheartened. It should be noted that an editor who adds protocols is most probably in research and not a A level student or undergraduate (which are welcome to edit wikipedia, but may misunderstand concepts).

Attempts

To try and stop this I have tried:

• To gain an exception to the guidelines: a nightmare as many people see them as a divine commandments. (cf. policy page
• To propose a revamp of inter wiki links, but protocols cannot go on wikibooks and making a wikia would be pointless and they fall outside of wiki family oddly.
• To add a navigation bar, called Template:Bioprotocols on the top right of the page that links to not-for-profit sites with protocols and the sign: 'wikipedia cannot contain protocols, so please refer to these sites' but it was deleted as external sites can only be in external site section and wikipedia cannot self-reference (and it looks like wikipedia has limitations). (cf. deletion discussion
• To make a warning bar against protocol add people, banners should be kenpt to a minimum (above).

I personally have given up on this. As I am not paid to edit wikipedia, so my willness to help has a limit. If you have any ideas or suggestions, though, I would love to help.