Help:Research
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Suppose you've found an article that requires attention, but the subject matter is from a game you haven't played or is a topic with which you aren't very familiar. Rather than leave the article to someone else you think is more qualified (and who may not ever find it), why not do some research into the topic to become better familiarized with it and empower yourself to do the editing? This help article will explain how.
Potential Sources
Textual Resources
Text Dumps will give you solid, credible information to work with. These are especially useful if the information is from more recent games, which rely more heavily on narrative than older installments. These resources are created by pulling the in-game textual data directly from the game's code.
To use a text dump, use the search function (ctrl + f) to search for the subject in question. This will direct you to any relevant scan data, logbook entries, or dialogue that directly mentions that subject.
The following are Text Dumps currently available on Metroid Wiki:
Fansites
Other Metroid fansites likely have information on the subject already. Using any of the sites listed in the "Affiliates" or "Recommended" section on the sidebar is a great place to start! Many of these sites have digital concept art, screenshots, and scans of manuals and strategy guides that could be useful.
Most also include written walkthroughs that can provide a basic understanding of the game's components and order of events, as well as other details such as where and when certain upgrades can be obtained.
Let's Plays
Let's Plays -- fan-made video walkthroughs -- are available on sites such as YouTube, and are especially helpful in that they allow an editor to actually watch the progression of the game, the appearance and behavior of enemies, and other visual elements, without having to play through the game themselves.
By using the Print Screen function, an editor can also take rudimentary screenshots from these videos to help illustrate their subject until images of higher quality can be obtained.
Other Wikis
Other Wikis, such as Wikipedia, or our Wikia counterpart, Wikitroid, may have covered the topic in question. These articles do not necessarily constitute a reliable source for in-article references, but the available information may be used to educate oneself concerning the subject matter and put an editor in a better position to compose the article.
While reading these articles for research purposes is fine, plagiarism is strictly prohibited! Copying sections of articles on other wikis violates Metroid Wiki's Inter-wiki Policy and demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for the work of others.
