[WikiEN-l] The dangers of not citing Wikipedia

[WJhonson at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/11/2008 4:23:10 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
thomas.dalton at gmail.com writes:

I don't  doubt that it happens. It's completely unacceptable and is why
people  should not cite Wikipedia is serious research.>>


---------------------------
I can't agree with that.
We have many articles that are quite good, clear, concise and very close to  
the money.
Also I'm not sure where you draw the line between serious research and  
not-serious research?
 
When I do my work, I use Wikipedia as a tool to ferret out other sources,  to 
explain and illuminate side-issues, etc.  The main focus of the thesis  
should rely on both primary and secondary material and Wikipedia can serve as  
secondary material.  However if Wikipedia is your sole source of  information, 
then you are in trouble.  But if Wikipedia is a main source,  or even a 
*starting* source from which you launch your digging, using its  article citations to 
ferret out more details, then Wikipedia should be cited,  whether you quote it 
or not.
 
Will Johnson



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