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Is Wikipedia Really a Reliable Source

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Is Wikipedia Really A Reliable Source?

Is Wikipedia Really A Reliable Source? The task or writing a research paper or completing a project that requires research can often be daunting and time consuming especially for those who are not in a research field. Because of this, many people will look to find a shortcut through this process. Wikipedia can be considered one of these shortcuts. According to Wikipedia (n.d.), “Wikipedia is a multilingual, web-based, free-content encyclopedia project based on an openly editable model” (1). Wikipedia undoubtedly provides a more rapid way to research. The site contains 8.2 million articles in 283 different languages (Wikipedia, n.d.). The site is free to use and has very simple, straightforward navigation. If one were to write out all of the pros of Wikipedia, it would be a very long list, but the question is – is Wikipedia really reliable? Are we sacrificing reliability for shortcuts? Are we giving up quality of information for quantity?
The argument for reliability These questions are a part of an ongoing and seemingly not ending (at least not any time soon) debate. According to a debate with classmates, many who are for the reliability of Wikipedia believe it to be as reliable if not more than traditional sources; however, during the debate classmates were found to list pros of the site as opposed to actual reasons that information found on the site could be deemed reliable. Some classmates pointed out that whereas printed encyclopedias can take years to be edited with current information that is essence is not current once the information is inserted into the encyclopedia, Wikipedia is updated with information regarding current events almost instantaneously. A study done by the journal Nature compared articles found on Wikipedia to articles found in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Articles in a wide range of topics were chosen from both sites and sent to “relevant” field experts for peer review. For its study, the journal Nature found that Britannica averaged 2.92 mistakes per article while Wikipedia averaged a not too distant 3.86 mistakes per article (Terdiman, 2011). Another study was done by The Guardian, a British newspaper. In their study, a panel of experts reviewed seven entries relating to their field. The panel rated the entries on a ten point scale. While there were criticisms that came out of the study, there were four mentions from the study for information that was factually sound and correct with no glaring inaccuracies (Wikipedia, n.d.). Another argument for the reliability of Wikipedia comes from the openly editable model. The openly editable model allows anyone to write or edit articles on the website. Wikipedia depends on a collaborative writing and editing system for the website to function. Many argue with the openly editable model scholars are not only able to go onto the website to publish credible articles, but they are also able to see when not so credible information is published and correct the information. This argument and many or the arguments presented for arguing the reliability of Wikipedia are also presented for the argument against the reliability of Wikipedia.
The argument against reliability While there were not a vast variety of arguments against the reliability of Wikipedia, very strong arguments were made for the point given. In the debate with classmates, one of the problems debate participants had with the reliability was the openly editable model. The Wikipedia (n.d.) website states that 91,000 editors contribute to the information presented on the website. The problem with this is that while those that argue for the reliability of Wikipedia argue that these contributors can be scholars in the field, there is also the same chance if not a greater chance that these contributors are not scholars in the field. Contributors can range from scholar, to person with general knowledge, to person with limited knowledge, to person with no knowledge, to everything in between. The openly editable model allows anyone to edit information that has already been written. Because of this, even if an entry is written by a scholar, a person who has limited knowledge but feels they are a scholar on a subject matter can remove information from the article that was contributed by a scholar. The Wikipedia (n.d.) website states that articles are written by consensus. Consensus can be defined as a general or widespread agreement; however, it is possible and probably that in a variety of cases a consensus cannot or will not be met. In cases of no consensus, contributors will change entries to match what they believe to be true. There are prominent instances of Wikipedia having incorrect information posted to its site for an extensive period of time. One of the most prominent instances is the Seigenthaler incident. A biographical entry on John Seigenthaler, Sr. contained information that was false and defamatory for four months (Wikipedia, n.d.). While this incorrect information was found and eventually changed, the misinformation was already out in the public for anyone who may have researched that particular individual during that time period. Instances of this nature are likely to happen on a regular basis for this type of a website. The Olanoff (2011) website states many schools are even beginning to ban the use of Wikipedia because of its lack of authoritative sources.
Conclusion
In looking at the arguments for the reliability of Wikipedia and against the reliability of Wikipedia, the argument against the reliability is stronger. As stated earlier, the arguments for the reliability of Wikipedia are more numerous, but the arguments against the reliability of Wikipedia are more substantive. Wikipedia’s own website admits that false information has been a part of the information the public sees. The model on which the website works (openly editable model) creates great reliability issues for the website. While it allows articles or entries to be created and edited in a rapid manner, it also allows incorrect information to be posted to these articles or entries. Without some sort of established peer review process, one cannot rely on information obtained through Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a great place to start research as it gives links to other sources and can provide information that is valid; however, using information from Wikipedia should be done with a strong, healthy amount of caution and skepticism.

References
Olanoff, L. (2011). The Seattle Times. Retrieved from http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2004025648_wikipedia21.html
Terdiman, D. (2011). CNET News. Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/2100-1038_3-5997332.html
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia

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