As a student writing an academic paper, can a wiki such as Wikipedia or Investopedia ever be considered a useful resource?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating whether a wiki like Wikipedia or Investopedia can be a useful resource for an academic paper, it's helpful to consider how such sources function and how they should be used in scholarly work.
Option 1: 'No because the information found in a wiki is often out-of-date and rarely maintained' This statement overgeneralizes. While some wiki entries may be outdated or incomplete, many wikis are actively edited and kept current, and the reliability varies by topic. Relying solely on the idea that all wiki content is out-of-date ignores the nuanced reality that some entries are well-maintained and provide useful overviews, especially for background context. Therefore, as a blanket rejection, this option mischaracterizes the varying quality across topics.
Option 2: 'Yes so long as it is only used as a starting point for further research and references, particularly when you know very little about a topic' This option aligns with common scholarly practice. Wikis can be valuable for quick orientation, identifying key concepts, terminology, and primary sources cited in the articles themselves. They are most effective when used to guide deeper investigation and when researchers verify information against primary or peer-reviewed sources before citing in a paper.
Option 3: 'Yes because wikis have main contributors who have a very broad view of the world and are very knowledgeable in most subjects' This overstates the reliability and expertise of contributors. While some topics may be well-covered, many entries lack formal verification, and the claim that contributors are universally highly knowledgeable across most subjects is not supported by how wiki communities operate. It risks assuming authority where there may be gaps or biases.
Option 4: 'No because the information in a wiki is unreliable due to the fact that anyone can contribute to it' This highlights a real concern: openness to edit can enable inaccuracies or vandalism. However, the degree of unreliability varies by page, topic, and editorial oversight. The blanket assertion that information is unreliable ignores cases where pages are well-sourced, moderated, and corrected over time, and it discounts the practice of cross-checking with vetted sources.
In summary, option 2 presents a balanced and practical view that leverages wiki resources appropriately, while the other options describe legitimate concerns but in a way that overgeneralizes or mischaracterizes how these platforms function in scholarly contexts.

Dashboard Term One Lecture Quiz

As a student writing an academic paper, can a wiki such as Wikipedia or Investopedia ever be considered a useful resource?

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