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
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A tertiary source is an index and/or textual condensation of primary and secondary sources.
Some examples of tertiary sources are almanacs, guide books, survey articles, timelines, and user guides. Depending on the topic of research, a scholar may use a bibliography, dictionary, or encyclopedia as either a tertiary.
As tertiary sources, encyclopedias and textbooks attempt to summarize and consolidate the source materials into an overview, but may also present subjective commentary and analysis (which are characteristics of a secondary source).
In some academic disciplines the distinction between a secondary and tertiary source is relative,[4][3] but in historiography it is absolute.
In the UNISIST model, a secondary source is a bibliography, whereas a tertiary source is a synthesis of primary sources.[5]
Wiki can be used to find sources that you will need to check out for yourself and if they check out you can then use them source. Them refers to the sources not Wiki.
Most instructors now will mention specifically that you are not allowed to use Wikipedia as a source.
Consider H. L. Mencken's history of the bathtub.
Wikipedia can be a good starting point, to get a general idea of a subject and get some references to follow up, but is not a reliable source in itself.