Is Wikipedia A Reliable Source?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Wikipedia is not a reliable source for

elsewhere on Wikipedia. Because it can be edited by anyone at any time, any information it contains at a particular time could be vandalism, a work in progress, or just plain wrong. … Wikipedia generally uses reliable secondary sources, which vet data from primary sources.

What is Wikipedia used for?

Wikipedia's purpose is

to benefit readers by acting as a widely accessible and free encyclopedia

; a comprehensive written compendium that contains information on all branches of knowledge.

What is Wikipedia and how does it work?

Wikipedia is

an online free content encyclopedia project helping create a world in which everyone can freely share in the sum of all knowledge

. It is supported by the Wikimedia Foundation and based on a model of freely editable content.

What are the benefits of using Wikipedia?

  • Can help you get started with a general idea of what a topic is about.
  • Nicely-organized and easy-to-use pages.
  • Cross-referenced to related information.
  • Wide range of information, much of which is becoming more reliable.

Who writes for Wikipedia?


Steven Pruitt
Known for Most edits on the English Wikipedia Relatives Peter Francisco (sixth-great grandfather)

Can we trust Wikipedia?


We do not expect you to trust us

Also, since Wikipedia can be edited by anyone at any time, articles may be prone to errors, including vandalism, so Wikipedia is not a reliable source. So please do not use Wikipedia to make critical decisions.

How accurate is Wikipedia 2019?

They found that while Wikipedia articles were rated at 83.8 percent for completeness, the information published in the articles was

99.7 percent accurate

.

Can I use Wikipedia?

If you want to use Wikipedia's text materials in your own books/articles/web sites or other publications, you can generally do so, but you must comply with one of the licenses that Wikipedia's text is licensed under. Many of the media files on Wikipedia are also

reusable

.

Do researchers use Wikipedia?

Wikipedia – Academic Use


Wikipedia is not considered a credible source

. … However, of Wikipedia in research papers may be considered unacceptable, because Wikipedia is not considered a credible or authoritative source.

Can I add myself to Wikipedia?


Anyone can create a Wikipedia user account and write an article, on any topic whatsoever

. Wikipedia, however, would prefer that topic not be “Myself.” It's right there, clearly stated in their terms of service.

What are the negative effects of Wikipedia?

There have been documented problems caused by open, anonymous gatherings of people in Wikipedia, such as the writing of vitriol (noted in 2003) or wiki-gangs (noted in July 2005). Another problem is that

anyone can edit articles at any time

, so people can vandalize articles, as long as they have an account.

What are 4 benefits of using Wikipedia?

The advantages are:

finding information in a concise, easy way

; finding references on the bottom of the page of the document linked to Wikipedia; learning and finding new things never heard of before and much more.

What are the pros and cons of using Wikipedia?

The big pro is that there is likely to be an entry for what ever it is you're searching for. The big con is that the information on that page might not be accurate. Like all sources of information (and particularly those on the web) you have to treat it with a

healthy dose of scepticism

.

Do Wikipedia editors get paid?

These editors

are not paid by Wikipedia

or the Wikimedia Foundation. They are understood to be contributing on behalf of a third party such as an employer or client. At its heart, paid editing seems at odds with the open user-led model of volunteer collaboration that Wikipedia employs and is famous for.

How much does it cost to get a Wikipedia page?

The cost to create a Wikipedia account ranges

between $250 to $3,000

; however, many of its articles may even cost a minimum of $400 to a maximum of $800. It's a bit complicated process because of you enter wrong credentials or misinterprets the instructions your account can go on hold for ages.

Does Wikipedia Make money?


Wikipedia makes money via donations, investments, as well as merchandise sales

. In the future, it plans to launch an API that charges enterprises a fee for access to its data. Founded in 2001, Wikipedia has grown to become one of the world's most-frequented websites.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.