Wickipedia can be reliable if certain precautions are taken to support information obtained from the cite. Virgil Griffith invented the search tool that identifies who makes changes to Wickipedia. The person doing research using this, should check other sources to see if the information matches. I wouldn't want to cite something within a paper using Wickipedia as the sole source. I would make sure the statement comes from Wickipedia and a backup source.
Also, it can be inconvenient. Just like when someone tells you something, you want to hear it from someone else before you believe it. A student working on a research paper may not have the time to look for other sources that back up Wickipedia. On the other hand, it can be used as a supporting source for others. I wouldn't trust its information over other sources, but it can be used to fulfill a works cited requirement.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
You make good arguments.
ReplyDelete