Ryan Jordan claimed to be a professor of religion while writing articles for Wikipedia.
Actually, he was a college drop-out who was asked to resign after lying about his credentials.
Wikipedia is an internet encyclopedia that is relatively easy to access by anyone and is used by students and people alike who seek information.
Recently, the integrity of Wikipedia was questioned with the resignation of Jordan, the former editor who posted false information.
Since then, users of the site are mixed about using it as a dependable resource for college students.
“I would use Wikipedia for English or history. Some teachers don’t like it for some reason,” said 19-year-old Pierce student Abraam Boyajyan.
“Everybody can say something (on Wikipedia); it’s not really fact, its more opinion.”
Wikipedia co-founder of James Wales commented in an April interview with Time Magazine concerning students’ use of Wikipedia as a means for research. “The site is a wonderful starting point for research.”
” But it’s only a starting point because there’s always a chance that there’s something wrong, and you should check your sources if you are writing a paper.”
Articles on Wikipedia can be written and edited by anyone who has access to the Internet.
People who write or edit articles on the Web site don’t need to show any credentials of any kind and if they want can remain anonymous to the public. Pierce Library Department Chair Florence Robin and Librarian Anne Gibson-Lott both shared their opinions on Wikipedia and traditional encyclopedias.
“The authors of the Britannica are always expert in their field. Their credentials are there.”
Concerning Wikipedia, “you don’t know if they are experts in the subject they are writing about. There’s a possible bias also,” said Robin.
“When you go into college you’re expected to delve deeply into research using your own mind to analyze the sources, finding the truth,” also students “need to learn to evaluate what’s good and what’s bad. It’s a lifelong skill,” said Gibson-Lott.
Teachers undoubtedly are another main point covered in the debate about using Wikipedia.
Speech Communication Department Chair Barbara Anderson, says that she allows students to use it, but on a limited basis.
“Every time I hear Wikipedia, it puts a question mark in my head, I think that part of the problem is, its not just Wikipedia,” she said.
“If you look at Yahoo or Google, it’s hit or miss with the quality.”
Although she allows the usage of Wikipedia on a minimal level, she still believes that there are other and better alternatives.
“It’s very possible that you could go look something up on Wikipedia and get some excellent information but, it’s also very possible that you could look something else up and get something that’s not quality.
Anderson still widely recommends other more reliable sources rather than the usage of Wikipedia.
“I encourage students to go to academic sources and referred sources, which is so important in academia.
” I think a lot of the sources are at our fingertips, some of them are good, some of them are not. Because some of them are not, there’s always need to be on guard no matter what.”
Do you believe that Wikipedia is a credible source for research?
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Name: Nick Chavez
Age: 25 Major: Anthro / History
“God, no.” |
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Name: Argishti Rostamia
Age: 19 Major: Undecided
“Yes.” |
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Name: David Popiel
Age: 22 Major: Undecided
“Not Really.” |
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Name: Rose Podosian
Age: 19 Major: Law
“Yes, it has a lot of information.” |
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Name: Amanda Hutchings
Age: 19 Major: Deaf Studies
“Depends on what you’re looking up.” |
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Name: Heather Wood
Age: 19 Major: Deaf Studies
“No.” |
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