Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Wikipedia is a valuable resource for gathering initial information and understanding a topic.
However, citing it in academic work can be challenging due to its open-editing nature and variable
reliability. Many academic institutions discourage or outright prohibit citing Wikipedia in research
papers.
So, how do you reference Wikipedia in a research paper effectively and responsibly? It requires
careful consideration and adherence to academic standards. Here are some tips to help you navigate
this process:
1. Verify Information: Always cross-reference the information you find on Wikipedia with
credible sources. Look for academic journals, books, or reputable websites to confirm the
accuracy and reliability of the information.
2. Use Wikipedia as a Starting Point: While Wikipedia can provide a general overview of a
topic, it should not be your sole source of information. Use it as a starting point for your
research and then delve deeper into more scholarly sources.
3. Cite the Original Source: If you find valuable information on Wikipedia that you want to
include in your research paper, try to locate and cite the original source. Look for the
references or external links provided in the Wikipedia article and use them to trace back to
the primary sources.
4. Follow Citation Guidelines: If your academic institution allows citing Wikipedia under
certain circumstances, make sure to follow the specific citation guidelines provided by your
professor or institution. Typically, this involves including the title of the Wikipedia article,
the date of access, and the URL.
5. Exercise Caution: Be cautious when citing Wikipedia, especially for controversial or rapidly
evolving topics. Information on Wikipedia can change frequently, and inaccuracies may go
unnoticed.