Is Citing a Wiki a Good Idea or Should it be Avoided?
Many college professors will tell students to avoid using Wikipedia as a source. Here are the reasons why and how students can still use it to help their research. Keep reading If you need to write a custom research paper.
Most students - in college and even in high school - understand that encyclopedias are not the best sources to use for a paper. Why? Because encyclopedias only give general knowledge about a subject and do not explore a topic in-depth or from several viewpoints. Instructors prefer that their students dig a little deeper, and an encyclopedia just won't do it.
Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia, but it's more than that. It is also a wiki, which means that the content of its website can be edited by anyone. In fact, Wikipedia says so on its main page: "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit." That is another reason why instructors don't want students using Wikipedia. Here are some reasons why students should not use Wikipedia as a source, as well as a few reasons why they might want to use this online encyclopedia. As with any other internet sources, students should always evaluate the validity of the source.
Most students - in college and even in high school - understand that encyclopedias are not the best sources to use for a paper. Why? Because encyclopedias only give general knowledge about a subject and do not explore a topic in-depth or from several viewpoints. Instructors prefer that their students dig a little deeper, and an encyclopedia just won't do it.
Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia, but it's more than that. It is also a wiki, which means that the content of its website can be edited by anyone. In fact, Wikipedia says so on its main page: "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit." That is another reason why instructors don't want students using Wikipedia. Here are some reasons why students should not use Wikipedia as a source, as well as a few reasons why they might want to use this online encyclopedia. As with any other internet sources, students should always evaluate the validity of the source.
Wikipedia Only Offers General Information on Topics
Like all encyclopedias, Wikipedia gives general information about topics. It doesn't give opinion or provide analysis. It is written for a general audience.
When instructors assign research papers or other essays requiring the use of outside sources, they expect students to learn as much as they can about the subject. Encyclopedias, including Wikipedia, do give a lot of information for term paper help, but it is surface information. Other sources, such as journal articles, also provide critical analysis of the subject as well as expert opinion, something encyclopedias don't do.
When instructors assign research papers or other essays requiring the use of outside sources, they expect students to learn as much as they can about the subject. Encyclopedias, including Wikipedia, do give a lot of information for term paper help, but it is surface information. Other sources, such as journal articles, also provide critical analysis of the subject as well as expert opinion, something encyclopedias don't do.
Wikipedia Changes Frequently
Articles on Wikipedia change frequently, and some change daily. Readers can check the latest update of the article by scrolling to the bottom of the page. Some articles on the website are "locked," meaning that no one can edit or change them further, and these articles are considered to be more reliable.
Many users hail the encyclopedia as being democratic (anyone can contribute) along with the fact that articles can be updated frequently. These qualities make Wikipedia a much-loved source of many readers. However, for these same reasons, instructors do not want their students to use it as a source.
Many users hail the encyclopedia as being democratic (anyone can contribute) along with the fact that articles can be updated frequently. These qualities make Wikipedia a much-loved source of many readers. However, for these same reasons, instructors do not want their students to use it as a source.
Students Can Still Find Good Uses for Wikipedia
Just because students shouldn't cite the online encyclopedia as a source doesn't mean they should avoid it entirely. There are ways students can use Wikipedia without having their essays - or grades - suffer.
First of all, if a student is writing a paper on a subject with which he is not familiar, he can look it up on Wikipedia and get a decent understanding of the topic before doing further research. Secondly, Wikipedia prides itself for citing other sources, mainly so that its content can be considered reliable. Students reading a particular topic can scroll to the bottom of the article and look up sources via links. Many of these other sources may actually be suitable for a student's essay.
First of all, if a student is writing a paper on a subject with which he is not familiar, he can look it up on Wikipedia and get a decent understanding of the topic before doing further research. Secondly, Wikipedia prides itself for citing other sources, mainly so that its content can be considered reliable. Students reading a particular topic can scroll to the bottom of the article and look up sources via links. Many of these other sources may actually be suitable for a student's essay.
A Student Should Follow an Instructor's Guidelines When Using Sources
Most instructors will tell students not to use Wikipedia as a source. Students who do so risk their grades. However, there are ways wise students use the online encyclopedia without damaging their essay or their credibility. Wikipedia can help students, but they must use it with care.
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