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Evaluating Sources: Wikipedia

How to determine which sources to use for accurate, professor-approved information.

Can you use Wikipedia for research?

Yes! Wikipedia is not a peer-reviewed article and you shouldn't rely on it as a source to cite in your paper, but you can use it as an encyclopedia to guide you.

Use Wikipedia for:

Introducing or reviewing concepts, especially if you're unfamiliar with the subject

Learning more about a topic so you might be able to select a focus for research

Discovering current information about a topic

Finding possible sources

 

Using Wikipedia for Academic Research with the Cooperative Library Instruction Project

Wikipedia Tips

Wikipedia can be edited by multiple sources, but it is NOT a peer-reviewed source.
Studies have shown it to be mostly accurate, but since people can edit pages as they see fit, the information may not always be correct.
The user-editing does mean that someone can post a view or fact that they judge to be relevant.
Most professors (and librarians) frown upon using Wikipedia as a source.
Wikipedia does list citations or references for information, but not all are accurate, objective, current, or authoritative.
Wikipedia is most helpful when used as a quick overview or list of possible sources by clicking on its citations.

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