A Wikipedia article can be a useful starting point for online research, but it should not be considered a definitive or authoritative source. Here are some reasons why:
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Collaborative Editing: Wikipedia articles can be edited by anyone, which means that the information might not always be accurate or up-to-date.
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Citation Needed: While many articles reference primary or reputable secondary sources, it’s important to check the citations provided to verify the information.
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Varying Quality: The quality of articles can vary significantly. Some topics may have well-researched and comprehensive entries, while others may be lacking in depth or accuracy.
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Not Academic: Wikipedia is not an academic source and is often not acceptable for scholarly work. Academic and peer-reviewed articles, books, and credible reports are generally preferred.
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Good for Overview: Wikipedia can be helpful for gaining a general understanding of a topic and for finding references or links to more reliable sources.
In summary, while Wikipedia can be a valuable resource for an initial overview or context, it should ideally be supplemented with more reliable and scholarly sources for thorough research.