Template:Refimprove section/doc

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This is a documentation subpage for Template:Refimprove section.
It contains usage information, categories and other content that is not part of the original template page.

This template is intended to be placed at the top of sections of articles which need additional references. Many editors understand this template to be redundant when it is used on articles clearly marked as stubs.

Usage

This template also includes support for using the |date= parameter. Adding this parameter sorts the article into subcategories of Category:Articles needing additional references and out of the parent category, allowing the oldest problems to be identified and dealt with first. A bot will add this parameter if it is omitted. Be careful not to abbreviate the date, because then it will automatically add a redlinked category instead of the correct category. The simplest way to use this parameter manually is {{Refimprove section|{{subst:DATE}}}} but it can be done more explicitly as {{Refimprove section|date=December 2024}} (both result in the same output).

The template will display in a small format by default. To prevent this specify |small=no

Listed below are three options for usage:

{{Refimprove section}}

{{Refimprove section|date=December 2024}}

{{Refimprove section|{{subst:DATE}}}}

Differences from related templates

General advantages

The naming scheme of {{Refimprove section}} parallels that used for {{Ref begin}}, {{Ref end}}, and {{Reflist}}, thereby reducing confusion in compliance with the KISS principle.

{{Refimprove section}} is easy to use.

Differences from {{Primary sources}} and {{Unreferenced}}

{{Refimprove section}} uses simple, general wording so that the template can be used any time referencing in an article section needs improvement.

Differences from {{Citation needed}}

{{Refimprove section}} works for general and specific references whereas {{Citation needed}} can only be used in place of specific references.

Unlike {{Citation needed}}, {{Refimprove section}} places a very conspicuous banner at the top of the article section.

Note that {{Citation needed}} was formerly called {{fact}}.