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Understanding Disambiguation in Wikipedia: The Case of Mercury and Other Topics

Disambiguation is crucial in Wikipedia to clarify terms with multiple meanings. Using "Mercury" as a prime example, we explore how articles can be organized when a single term covers various topics, such as the planet Mercury or Mercury, Nevada. This guide discusses how to identify primary topics and create effective disambiguation pages, along with exercises to practice the skill. By recognizing ambiguous terms, we enhance clarity and improve user experience in navigating diverse subjects.

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Understanding Disambiguation in Wikipedia: The Case of Mercury and Other Topics

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  1. What have these pictures got in common? MERCURY Their articles need disambiguation

  2. Definition Disambiguation in Wikipedia is the process of resolving the conflicts that arise when a single term is ambiguous—when it refers to more than one topic covered by Wikipedia articles. Can you think of any topics that may need disambiguating?

  3. Article name • May need a disambiguating term • E.g. Mercury (planet) • Or Mercury, Nevada • Is there a primary topic? • A meaning that is much more likely to be used • It would not have a disambiguator: Mercury • But in this case, there is no primary topic • So Mercury is a disambiguation page

  4. Disambiguation (dab) page

  5. Primary topic • If there is a primary topic, it goes at the base name, e.g. London • Other articles are listed in a disambiguation page, e.g. London (disambiguation) • The primary page will have a hatnote linking to the disambiguation page For other uses, see London (disambiguation).

  6. Exercise How would you disambiguate the articles on the handout? • All linked through disambiguation page? • One primary topic, others under dab page? • One primary topic, one other through hatnote? • None needed? • Something else?

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