Documentation pages introduction
Introduction
These pages explore the significant role of Wikibase, the software behind Wikidata, as a powerful and versatile tool for creating structured knowledge bases following the principles of Linked Open Data (LOD).
In an increasingly data-driven world, individuals and institutions across various sectors face the challenge of managing, connecting, and disseminating vast amounts of complex and often interlinked data. In a wider context where digital collections supporting computational and responsible use are discussed, known as Collections as data,[1] approaches that follow the Linked Data paradigm are of a particular interest. Deploying Semantic Web technologies[2] in Digital Humanities (DH) data collections becomes interesting for a range of reasons, and we point out the following:
- Permanent URI for resources inside the dataset, on the most fine-grained level;
- Interoperability with other resources, e.g. for data enrichment or dataset integration
- Straightforward re-usability as LOD (instead of closed data siloes);
Wikibase offers a robust and flexible solution for working with linked datasets, but Wikibase's most distinctive features compared to other solutions for working with LOD, are (1) the fact that every entity described in the database will have its own editable web page, and (2), the advanced support for collaborative editing and reviewing Wikibase inherits from MediaWiki, [3] and (3), a user interface that supports multilinguality in all facets, i.e. related to content, documentation and interface language (including poly-script).
These documentation pages are meant as a practical guide to assist new adopters of Wikibase in implementing their projects effectively. The different chapters explore Wikibase features, relationship with Wikidata, existing implementations, and requirements to be addressed in future development.
FAIR principles and Open Science Policy
The FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable, transparent, and collaborative research infrastructures (Waagmeester et al. 2019) discuss Wikidata in the context of FAIR criteria). As data volumes grow and interdisciplinary collaboration becomes essential, adopting FAIR-aligned workflows ensures that datasets are not only technically accessible but also understandable and reusable across different contexts, projects, and communities (Candela et al, 2023, Candela, et al. 2025).
Wikibase provides many of the technical mechanisms required for FAIR data:
- Findable. Every entity has a globally unique, resolvable URI and rich multilingual metadata. Data will be searchable through the Wikibase interface and SPARQL.
- Accessible. Public resources will be retrievable over HTTPS through documented APIs and RDF content negotiation. Where ethical, legal or contractual restrictions apply, access will be controlled through federated AAI.
- Interoperable. Data will use RDF, shared vocabularies, external authority identifiers and formal mappings between the Wikibase application profile and disciplinary models. With ShEx it is possible to publish semantic validation rules. Local concepts can include definitions, provenance and relationships to established vocabularies.
- Reusable. Data can be accompanied by explicit machine-readable licences, provenance, references, model documentation and citation guidance. Versioned exports can record their production date and data-model version. Preservation copies can be deposited in a trusted repository independently of the continued availability of the live Wikibase service.
Such features resonate with open science policies in Europe and globally, which emphasize open data, transparency, and ethical data governance as key pillars for publicly funded research and cultural heritage projects.
Target groups
While Wikibase is broadly relevant across disciplines, these documentation pages focus on DH use cases, and to use cases in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector. DHwiki working group in general aims at fostering active participation in multiple Wikibase use cases and development of the software itself, aligned with ethical and sustainable data stewardship practices in DH.
These pages address a diverse audience including:
- Digital Humanities Researchers: Scholars and practitioners engaged in computational analysis, data modeling, graph solutions and knowledge organization for research projects.
- GLAM Professionals and Cultural heritage data specialists (curators, archivists, librarians, and museum specialists) seeking to manage, describe, and share their collections more effectively and to integrate LOD into their workflows.
- IT and Technical Staff in Cultural Heritage institutions responsible for the implementation, maintenance, and development of digital infrastructure.
- Funders and Policymakers: Stakeholders interested in understanding the potential of open-source solutions for cultural heritage data management and interoperability.
- Wikimedia Community Members: Contributors and developers interested in the broader Wikibase ecosystem and its applications beyond Wikidata.
Footnotes
- ↑ See Collections as data, the International GLAM Labs Community, AI4LAM or LIBER
- ↑ See the Five Star Open Data scheme for a general introduction.
- ↑ More precisely, Wikibase is a set of extensions to MediaWiki, see https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikibase and https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Wikibase.
