Quote:
|
Originally Posted by WilliamBlake
In debates, sources such as the dictionary are used to set the terms of reference, but after that the argument must be made with more specific research and facts. If your sole source of intellectual content (or even a main one) was Wiki, your argument would be easy prey to more dedicated research.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by josh_ingu
For academia - no. Definately not. If preparing a scholarly article or even a "scholarly board" discussion do not cite or provide a link to wiki. The main criticism would be that the information is not formally "peer reviewed" and as such has a very great deal of less validity and much of what is said on wiki is inadequately referenced. You would need to provide back up with more formally acceptable data sources. Depending upon the field, there are several academic search engines that will help you out.
|
Not to be contrary but I think you guys are missing the point a bit on this one. Wiki is an online encyclopedia, not a trade journal or other scholarly work. I would guess that no one in their right mind would quote the Encyclopedia Britannica (or Encarta for that matter) during their doctoral thesis. It is what it is an online encyclopedia and for all the issues related to its open source nature and regular lack of peer review I think its a great tool for general information gathering.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by garro
I'm not sure where I stand exactly on this issue. Is the wikipedia an acceptable resource to back up intelligent debate? I have heard that it is frowned upon in academic circles.
|
I am not sure that intelligent debate and academic circles should be in the same paragraph since one rarely exists in close proximity to the other (j/k). For my 2 cents I would say it is fine as a resource for intelligent debate but is definitely not an appropriate source for academics which generally require all referenced material to direct the reader to the original scholarly publication.
Wow this post is way longer than it should be......sorry.