Wikapedia, a valid Source for papers?

Question

I am an undergrad student studying mechanical engineering, and have to write reports on a regularly.

I have come under allot of criticism concerning my sources of research. I am a hardcore fan of traditional, encyclopedias, but they do not stay up to speed with technology or current events, which is what most of my papers are on.

Recently by recommendation of one of my professors they advised www.wikipedia.org for information on current events/technology.
Since then I have come under scrutiny from a couple of other professors for using wikipedia as a source. They claimed "it is entirely subjective". But isn’t that the case with anything that is published? It is subjective to the writer? I still use wikipedia to do a considerable amount of research, but I never directly list them as a source. I personally don’t care for it, but I don’t get my paper handed back to me with comments about my research.

Any teachers out there have opinions on accepting wikipedia as a valid source?

I understand that anyone can add or edit, an article, I have written/Corrected a couple myself. Do not think I am lazy about my research, I read though the sources that the person has listed and check to see if they are objective in presenting their information, before I use them. They are by far not my only source, but I did read their article, and used their sources, so shouldn’t I cite them?

TLC, I am asking it here, because when asking my professors questions on this I am most often replied to with unwarranted offence. That appears to be something that you share with them.

It is merely a question that I am asking for my own insight. It puzzles me that some teachers react this way because isn’t the distribution of knowledge, to the masses one of the main definitions of being a teacher? I would think more teachers would be interested in such a median and be willing to contribute, or is it the fact that people who didn’t spend x years of there life earning a degree are treated as equals here?

I’m sure the above statements stuck some people into wanting to comment, I am searching for some insight and reasoning’s. I do mean to offend; after all I am in school to get a degree.

Snow, I would like to see this article that you are referring to, because I have been told that before but I never could find the article, or did you not do your research before blindly trusting what a teacher told you?

I want to thank you all for your opinions, I will keep this open for a few more hours, before closing it down and making my decision. I was going to put it to a vote but decided against it from watching other articals that went to vote. .

Answer 1

I would agree with the others, Wikapedia may be a good starting point, but probably not a good ending point. As you move higher in your degree you're professors are going to want to see that you become more discerning with your sources- and see that not only is it a good source, but that you were able to identify who are the key sources of any given subject. Wikapedia would probably be best as a quick way to find who those key sources might be, since they often cite their sources, but you'll only know if that truly was a well respected source by finding out how many others have also cited them as a source.

I have a Masters degree have done my share of research, and have used Wikapedia many times, but have never cited it. Maybe you could say that Wikapedia has a lot of meat to it, but in the end, the most important thing is that you show you got to the bone- not how you got to the bone.

Answer 2

Anything that is published is subjective, but when you cite sources from peer-reviewed academic journals there is a certain degree of validity that doesn't come with Wikipedia. ANYONE can edit a Wikipedia page. That includes ten-year-old Bobby down the street. However, articles appearing in peer-reviewed journals are reviewed by experts in the field and determined to be accurate and reliable before they are published.

As a teacher, I would accept Wikipedia is a source for my K-12 students. When I was teaching at a community college I wouldn't have considered it appropriate. If you want to use Wikipedia at the post-secondary level, use it as a starting point. Lots of times the Wikipedia article will say the name of the person who performed the research that is being referred to- as an academic (which you now are!) it is your responsibility to go find the article or paper that was published by that researcher and look at the source first-hand. You should be able to access many journals online through your school library's website.

Answer 3

I have been told I cannot use it.

The articles are written by unknown authors and they have the freedom to write whatever they want to. It is rumored that Wikipedia does check what is written, but nonetheless, there very easily can be errors in the information.

I would not advise you to use it as a main source, but you could look up what ever it is you are studying to get an idea of what your subject may be about. If, however, it has information that contradicts something else you have already read, do not take its answer.

And don't site it as a source - may professors will not count it because of its unsure integrity as a resource with solid data.

Answer 4

i'm a student myself, and use wikipedia all the time

it is a useful tool, but keep in mind that it is just that - a tool. it is useful as a starting point on a subject (because it is so up-to-date), but keep in mind that just about anyone can edit a wikipedia entry, so it may be full of errors.

my advice is to just keep using it the way you are using it (and the way i use it as well). if you are researching a topic, wikipedia is very useful to get some basic background knowledge and it allows you to figure out where to go for further information. because many articles (some more than others) may be full of many flaws, however, make sure that any information in a wikipedia article can be corroborated from other more "established" sources, and in no circumstances should you cite to wikipedia in a paper or report.

Answer 5

Well, I'm not a teacher, but a journalist, and while I can tell you that I've used Wiki for source info, as well as adding to a few entries myself, I can tell you that Wiki is entirely subjective. I have added info on articles, with NO PEER REVIEW. I just type in my info, and BOOM, there it is on Wiki for the world to see. On a number of occasions I have corrected errors in a Wikipedia article.

So, I'd be careful when using it for source material.

Answer 6

Since wikipedia is open-forum, it is looked down upon. Since anyone can write a Wikipedia article it can change from one day to another. They have quality controls, so you have to be careful with the source. There are other internet sites to look at that are updated with scientific journals and research that keeps things current. This is especially true with the engineering profession.

Example:
Electrical and Electronic Engineering -> www.ieee.org
Mechincal Engineering -> asme

Answer 7

I'm a college professor and I do not let my students use wikipedia as a "valid" source (get the hint?) I agree that it can be used as a jumping off point to locate other information.

The problem with wiki is that you do not know the credentials of the person(s) providing the information. Would you let your electrician diagnose your health problem? Even if they "sounded" like they knew what they were talking about? I think not...

FYI - why not just ask your teacher(s) if they think wikipedia is acceptable? If one says "yes", use it for them... if another says "no", then don't!

Answer 8

wikipedia isn't a valid source
because anyone can get an account
even i have 1
it's anyone's opinion
on that site

Answer 9

I'm not a teacher but my geography teacher says that people put wrong information on that sight go ahead and see type in whales in lake Michigan on wikipedia you have to be stupid not to know that there is no whales there go ahead im not lying.

Answer 10

I would say not.. first off it is written for the most part by lay people and I have found a lot of the information to be inaccurate.. personally