referues

Referues are individuals who oversee the integrity of references and citations within collaborative knowledge projects. They act in an editorial capacity to verify sources, resolve citation disputes, and enforce reference policies. The term is used variably across communities and is not tied to any single organization, project, or standard.

Typical duties include checking that every factual claim is supported by a reliable citation, confirming that quotations are accurate, ensuring citations adhere to chosen style guides, and updating references as sources change. They may also mediate disagreements about sourcing, review proposed additions for citation quality, and document decisions in revision notes. Referues often work alongside editors, writers, and moderators and may operate under formal appointment or as volunteers depending on the project’s structure and resources.

Variations in usage exist: some communities treat referues as a formal role with defined training and accountability, while others use the term informally to describe anyone who performs reference checks. The role overlaps with, but is not identical to, traditional editorial staff or academic refereeing. Because the term is not standardized, definitions and procedures can differ between projects, and the scope of authority for referues may be limited to certain sections or types of content.