Hi there. I have a problem with the [[wikihow:Merge Policy|Merge Policy]]. I’ve taken the 1st part on the test on my old account ([[User:Emily22|Emily22]]) and continued to fail it. I keep trying to read the policy, but it still doesn’t help. Does anyone have any help with knowing if certain articles are duplicates?
@Ttrimm
I sent you this message too.
You should gain more experience on wikiHow. It took me more than 7 times to do the *first* part of the test. (; This is why you should always read the Merge, Title and Deletion Policies, and read about how to handle recipes on wikiHow. Take this question, for example. Should these two articles stay two, or be merged into one? How to Get a Boyfriend in Middle School How to Get a Boyfriend in the 5th Grade And these? How to Write an Article How to Write an Article on wikiHow There are a lot more than two questions (as I’m sure you know), but you *really* have to know the policies. You can also be a good editor without being a New Article Booster. I’m not an NAB, but I have written several articles and saved a few, too. Just take things at your own pace, instead of rushing into something. Like I said, I think you need more experience on wikiHow. Just MHO. June Days
Can admins boost without being a Booster, BTW?
My Honest Opinion. No they cannot. They can save NFDs, and they have the deciding vote on the NFD Guardian. June Days
@JuneDays
So you CAN’T boost?
@Adelaide1230
When I got passed the first part of the test, it was the time I put the most effort and the most time into it. You should follow June’s advice that was already stated. My advice, keep the merge policy open. Look at each question asked and then the look at where you can find that in the merge policy. “Are these phrases interchangeable in all cases?”, ask yourself this as much as you need to. Just don’t look at the policy for every single question. Make sure you study it and take your time and trust me, you’ll succeed.
By the way, Teresa wants me to wait for 2 months before I take the test (but she’s not trying to be mean at all) actually it’s good! Then I have more time to study the policies and I can wait until I know the ropes on wikiHow and have experience. Right now, I’m just focusing on improving my editing skills without talking about it like she advised me.
Although you might not be able to patrol it officially, theres a page that displays all new articles thats been created. New Pages - wikiHow
The merge policy test is tricky. You may have read the policy many times, but your experience on wikiHow will greatly help you. A few tips/ suggestions: Focus on groups rather than individuals. Examples: How to study in 6th grade How to study in 7th grade, etc should be merged to: How to Study in Middle School How to make money as a 15 year old, …as a 16 year old, etc should be merged to How to make money as a teenager If the groups are too broad, leave them as distinct topics. If you are not sure of particular topics, Google it. There is no harm in taking help.
It’s not the easiest part.
Actually it’s pretty difficult!
@Gaurangprasad
Well, it’s asking if certain articles are duplicates, not if they should be merged. And so I’m having a little trouble with it because the policy itself isn’t explaining anything about duplicates. How do I identify duplicate phrases?
@Adelaide1230
Read the Deletion vs Merge section of our Deletion Policy ( http://www.wikihow.com/wikiHow:Deletion-Policy#Deletion_vs._Merge
). Also read the difference between merging and NFD (duplicate), which can be found here: http://www.wikihow.com/wikiHow:Merge-Policy#The_difference_between_merging_and_NFD.7Cdup
Go to the current list of articles nominated for deletion (duplicate) and try to understand why it has been nominated. The list of articles can be found here: http://www.wikihow.com/Category:NFD-(Duplicate)
The thumb rule is: If the title of on article is very similar to one that we already have, it is a duplicate. Here, again, focus should be on particular groups like, Middle School, teenagers, High School, etc rather than individuals. Topics which are too broad should be left and not be considered duplicates. A few examples: 1) How to Contact Emergency Services in UK and How to Contact Emergency Services in India -> Though the titles sound similar (…Contact Emergency Services…), these are two different topics because calling emergency services in two different countries can have two different methods. Answer : Not Duplicates2) How to Make Money as a 15 Year Old and How to Make Money as a Teenager --> The latter talks about a particular age group. The process of making money for a 15 year old will be very similar to the process of making money for a 16, 17, year old too. Hence, the former article is a duplicate of the latter. Answer: Duplicate3) How to Boil Milk in My Way and How to Boil Milk --> Unless the former article teaches a method which is substantially different, it is a duplicate of the latter one. If the method described by the first article is very different, its title should be changed accordingly. Answer: Duplicate, unless a substantial difference in process4) How to Have a Super Cool Amazing Party and How to Have an Amazing Party --> The title of the first article is just an exaggeration of the second. Answer: Duplicate5) How to Charge a Phone Wirelessly and How to Charge a Phone using a Charger --> Distinct articles. Answer: Not Duplicate6) How to Solve a System of Equation Simultaneously and How to Solve a System of Equations using Cramer’s rule --> Same objective but different methods. Answer: Not DuplicateI hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any questions.
Marina
17
@Adelaide1230
If you have any other questions about the policy feel free to ask me. I can walk you through different parts of it. When taking the test, btw, keep the policy page open and look for specific examples that match in structure. For example, if there are two articles that are significantly alike in objective however one has an exaggerated adjective, it is fit for merging. If you’d like I can give you practice examples and other such things in order to prepare for it. And @Gaurangprasad
did a magnificent job of explaining just about every situation. Identify which parts cause problems. Don’t rush yourself. You haven’t been here for too long and gaining experience with other apps may be the way to go.
@Confusionist
Did he talk about things like: Find Old Classmates Search for Classmates Online Make a Comic Make a Good Comic As in the boost test
@Confusionist
Please give me practice examples!! And the Title Policy is also hard.
I believe you are referring to me. I explained many common situations that boosters come across in my above post. If you want, I can give you a lot of practice problems, but cannot answer the questions asked in the boost test, because that has to be done by you. Let me or @Confusionist
know if you need practice problems.
