Here's one of the basic Definitions I learned ..
when I was first studying the Wikis ..
WIKI -- It is a WEBSITE where the users (meaning anyone) can add, delete, or revise content by using a web browser of their choice ..
When you reflect on this .. that ANYONE Can add, delete, Revise the content ..
when there's no SERIOUS Effort to even test the content posted to see if it can pass even the simplest 'smell' test to see if it can actually qualify as being .. well .. passable (or a passing acquaintance with reality, scientific methodology .. hmm .. even the word .. truth) ..
when it is no more than a BLOG That ALL Can put their spin (opinions) on ..
That is why most Professors (and I also do teach some even in my Retirement Years) state .. PLEASE .. do NOT use WIKIs for your Research Sources .. you will find your GRADE Accordingly lowered by using any WIKI as a substitute for REAL Research ..
Sorry, Students: Jimmy Wales Agrees You Shouldn’t Cite Wikipedia in Term Papers: Agree?
Fef
2012/07/11 22:32:33
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Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, said that university students should not cite entries in his tremendously popular reference website. Wales created Wikipedia in 2001, and the site has grown into one of the largest reference websites, attracting 470 million unique visitors monthly as of February 2012. Wikipedia allows anyone with internet access to write and edit entries in its free, online encyclopedia.
Mr. Wales stated:
Mr. Wales concluded, “Once you’ve read a few relevant Wikipedia entries on a topic, you should be well armed to start digging in to primary materials.”
Mr. Wales stated:
If the Professor has a more nuanced view that Wikipedia should not be cited “as a source” by university students then I agree completely! I think the same thing about citing Britannica or any other encyclopedia. Citing an encyclopedia for an academic paper at the University level is not appropriate – you aren’t 12 years old any more, it’s time to step up your game and do research in original sources.
Mr. Wales concluded, “Once you’ve read a few relevant Wikipedia entries on a topic, you should be well armed to start digging in to primary materials.”
Wikipedia does not have verification by any professional staff. Therefore, anyone can add untruthful data or references to any entry. Stephen Colbert used his television show on Comedy Central to start a campaign to alter entries on Wikipedia.
He explained that on Wikipedia "any user can change any entry, and if enough users agree with them, it becomes true." He also told his viewers to go onto Wikipedia, in the article elephants, and to edit it so that it would say: "Elephant population in Africa has tripled over the past six months." The suggestion resulted in numerous changes to Wikipedia articles related to elephants and Africa.
Read More: http://betabeat.com/2012/07/sorry-students-even-ji...
Top Opinion
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sglmom 2012/07/12 03:56:17
When you are writing papers and citing sources, you don't use Wikipedia. The information is not credible and it can be misleading (or just flat out the wrong).
I DO FROM TIME FROM TIME, if those I am in an argument have used it before, then I use it....if it SUITS MY NEEDS....but I know that it is about 70% factual, but sometimes it is 70% wrong...AN AVENUE FOR MISINFORMATION and PROPAGANDA
The purpose of a term or research paper is the RESEARCH. Primary sources are kinda' important when researching a topic.
I'm just saying -\_(*_*)_/-
Also as a side note, you make a wonderful argument as to why it is important to keep public library's open..... People do have free access to these primary materials so long as their local public library's are open.
We OFTEN use wikipedia as a STARTING POINT, a "jumping off" point to other sites, but our students are NOT allowed to actually cite wikipedia on an assignment.
Wikipedia is great for an overview, to get you started, but you have to confirm everything on there... while finding the confirmations is necessary, just cite those. A research paper doesn't care where YOU actually got the fact you're stating, it cares about where they can go to find proof of the fact you're stating.