Wikidata:Model items

Model items are examples of items on different topics that can be used to understand the correct way to structure items on that subject. Model items are identified by using the property model item (P5869).

A full list of subjects that do have model items can be found here.

Using model items

Find a model item

1. Identify the item for the subject you want to work on. For example, if you want to create an item for a playwright, you would search for model items in the playwright (Q214917) subject item.

   Tip: If you don't know what the subject item is for the item you want to create, search for an existing item of the same type; in the case of a playwright, an example could be William Shakespeare (Q692), and from there you will find the playwright (Q214917) subject item.

2. Once you identify the item for the subject, you will find the model item (P5869) property which gives a list of model items for that subject. These model items should provide a diversity of examples for this subject. For instance, in playwright (Q214917) you may find playwright (Q214917)model item (P5869)Aristophanes (Q43353)and playwright (Q214917)model item (P5869)William Shakespeare (Q692).
3. If there is no model item for that subject, there may be a similar subject item which could be used. For example, if playwright (Q214917) had no model items, you could use one of the model items in the author (Q482980) subject item instead. You can also make request for best practice examples of items on Wikidata:Project chat or a relevant WikiProject. If so, please then add the suggestions you obtain as model items for those subjects.

Use a model item

1. Study the model item to understand the kinds of statements that can be made about the subject or the best way to model data within a property.
2. Add as many statements as you can, similar to those that appear in the model item, to the items you are working on. Remember to always add references to information you add to an item.
3. If you can, add information to related items as well. For example, when adding information about plays to an item of a playwright (Q214917), go also to the items for those plays and add the playwright as the author.

Adding model items

Finding suitable candidates

• For items: this query provides a list of the most commonly used types of items (using instance of (P31)) which don't yet have 5 model items. The links below each result provide lists of the 10 items of that type with the most statements.
• When choosing the model items for a subject, please select items with many references, (add the references yourself when needed).
• It is important to have a diverse selection of model items for a subject to show a range of possibilities for a subject, e.g. if the model items for authors are all 20th century European men they will not show the diversity of the subject.

Adding model items

• Only a limited number of model items should exist for a subject e.g 5 items, but they should show the diversity of the subject to provide people with a good understanding of the subject. If there are many items which would be suitable as a model item they can be used for more specific subjects, e.g items suitable for being the model items for writer (Q36180) could be used as model items for authors from a specific country, subject area, or time period.

Improving model items

• We have worklists that list various areas for improvement for existing model items.

• If there is a WikiProject which covers the subject and the item isn't already considered a best practice example by that project you can leave a note about the addition on the project talk page.

See also

• Wikidata:Showcase items