Wikipedia can be used in the following ways:
- As a starting point: Wikipedia entries are easily found online, usually at the top of the results page in a Google search, which makes it a very convenient starting point. Wikipedia can also give you background information and help you develop keywords that you can use when searching for more sources.
- Finding sources: The reference list at the bottom of a Wikipedia page provides many types of related sources, including academic journal articles and news sources. If there are no actual links to these sources, you can search the library databases for full-text copies of articles or books listed.
Downsides to using Wikipedia:
- Content can be written and edited by anyone: There is no way to guarantee the author’s expertise in an entry, which also means that the content can change at any time.
- They have their own system of updating content: This means that you can never be sure that what you read on there doesn't include misinformation that has not yet been corrected.
The takeaway: Wikipedia can be a helpful starting point for research, but it should never be used as an academic source for your assignment. Instead, use one of our recommended reference databases.
