Editorial & Fact-Checking Standards

OkButWhy is a non-profit, volunteer-run publication. We can’t promise we are never wrong — no one can — but we can be transparent about how we work, how we check facts, and how we fix mistakes. This page explains exactly that.

How an article is made

Every OkButWhy article goes through the same multi-step process before it reaches you:

  1. Choosing a topic. We only cover something if it genuinely makes us say, “oh, that’s interesting.” Curiosity is the first filter.
  2. Research. Accuracy is non-negotiable. We verify every article against at least two reliable, independent sources, and we prefer primary sources — peer-reviewed papers (with DOIs), original studies, and recognized reference works — over second-hand summaries.
  3. Visual design. Our design team builds original visuals to make each subject as clear and engaging as possible.
  4. Editorial review. An editor checks the sources one by one, fixes errors and unclear passages, and confirms the article fits our standards.
  5. Fact-checking. A dedicated fact-checker re-verifies the key claims against the cited sources before publication.
  6. Editor-in-chief review. A final pass, as if nothing had been checked before. Only then is the article published.

Our sourcing standard

  • At least two independent, reliable sources per article.
  • Primary and peer-reviewed sources preferred; we link to them directly.
  • “Further Reading” is listed separately from the sources we relied on.
  • Where a claim is contested or uncertain, we say so.

Our use of AI — in the open

We use AI tools responsibly and transparently. AI may assist with drafting, translation, and visuals, but every article is researched, edited, fact-checked, and approved by humans before publication. AI is a tool in our process — never a replacement for human judgment or accountability.

Corrections policy

If we get something wrong, we want to fix it — visibly. When we correct a factual error, we update the article and add a dated note explaining what changed. To report an error, email us at iletisim@dogafilozofu.com or use our Contact page.

Independence

OkButWhy is funded by volunteers and reader support. Sponsors or supporters never influence our editorial decisions or conclusions.

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