Controversy over use of Wikipedia in academic papers arrives at Smith
Meredith Byers
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News
Yet she agreed with aspects of the policy. "I agree with the logic of what I remember reading about the policy: that while it is a useful starting point for collecting basic information, it's not necessarily a reliable source to cite in a research paper," she said. "In my mind, the problem is not just the lack of reliability but also that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia."
Assistant History Professor Darcy Buerkle does not see the need for a ban on Wikipedia. She said, "I wouldn't suggest a ban on Wikipedia. It's not an adequate way to deal with student research skills." Buerkle said she uses Wikipedia for "quick facts" and views the problem as "a Google issue." "You search for a date, and it comes up and you end up looking at it," she said. "You are never seeking it out." Buerkle also said she has never had a student use Wikipedia as a source in a history paper.
While many students use Wikipedia frequently, few use it when it comes to researching papers. Kerri Hart-Morris '08, a history major, said that she uses Wikipedia "to look up terms I don't understand or to help me study for the identification portions of exams. I usually get my definitions from other books." Hart-Morris said she would oppose a Smith history department ban on the use of Wikipedia.
Grace Livingston '10 expressed an encompassing opinion about Wikipedia. "It's scary - you don't know who is writing the articles. I don't use it, but it's good for shallow research," she said.
Assistant History Professor Darcy Buerkle does not see the need for a ban on Wikipedia. She said, "I wouldn't suggest a ban on Wikipedia. It's not an adequate way to deal with student research skills." Buerkle said she uses Wikipedia for "quick facts" and views the problem as "a Google issue." "You search for a date, and it comes up and you end up looking at it," she said. "You are never seeking it out." Buerkle also said she has never had a student use Wikipedia as a source in a history paper.
While many students use Wikipedia frequently, few use it when it comes to researching papers. Kerri Hart-Morris '08, a history major, said that she uses Wikipedia "to look up terms I don't understand or to help me study for the identification portions of exams. I usually get my definitions from other books." Hart-Morris said she would oppose a Smith history department ban on the use of Wikipedia.
Grace Livingston '10 expressed an encompassing opinion about Wikipedia. "It's scary - you don't know who is writing the articles. I don't use it, but it's good for shallow research," she said.
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