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Social Sciences - Research Skills - Intermediate

In this course you will learn how to determine your need for information; find information effectively and efficiently; check information carefully; process and save information.

Can I use Wikipedia as an information source?

Wikipedia is a free internet encyclopedia and the information it contains can be added to and changed by anyone. As with all other information sources compiled by unknown authors, you will need a second information source to verify the quality of the information. Most articles in Wikipedia show the information sources from where the text was extracted at the end of the page. You can use these original sources in your paper, instead of Wikipedia. It is best not to use information from Wikipedia if no information sources are listed.

Other sources of information that do not include an author's name are also not accepted as sources of information in academia. Consider a brochure with information or a company website. Try to use predominantly academic publications whenever possible.