Wikipedia

As I sat in class soaking up all the information regarding Wiki sites, all the things started running through my head about how unreliable my professors had told me that Wikipedia, in particular,was. The lecture continued and editing these entries was discussed as an aspect that users could do themselves, but also that there was an overseeing editor that would essentially have the say of what got published on the web. Hearing these things gave me mixed reactions about Wikis as a whole. In one sense, I got a peace knowing that there was an "all-powerful" editor, but on the other hand I got this uneasy feeling that anyone could post information and when someone else goes to search that subject they will most likely make the assumption that the information is accurate. While there is a sceptical aspect about using Wiki sites, I do think that they serve as a useful tool for a starting point in the research process.

While discussing Wiki sites, the example was given of the Colorado State University site so I decided I would visit it and explore what was offered. One aspect of Wikipedia that I find especially useful is the 'Contents' page that is listed in the center of the page. Instead of having to scroll through every part of the page, it is made very easy to find exact information about the subject. Also within each aspect of information are links that lead to other sites that are strictly dedicated to that highlighted word or subject.

One of the most fundamental and useful tools that I think Wikipedia has to offer is the sidebar snapshot that is provided on the right side of the page. This serves as an area where quick facts can be obtained without even having to look through the actual document text. For CSU specifically, it provides the location, the number of students, the founding date, the school colors and the mascot. Along with this information some of the categories are linked so they will take the user to an additional site, that will most likely be a privately administered site rather than open to the public for editing.

The overall consensus about Wikipedia I was able to reach after learning and exploring Wikipedia is that it is a reliable source to an extent, and that further research may be necessary prior to findings on Wikipedia. It is not a bad place to start but it is not the most effective for scholarly work.