* Lack of Verifiability: Wikipedia articles lack the rigorous peer-review process found in academic journals and books. Information can be edited by anyone, and while there are mechanisms to prevent vandalism, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Sources cited on Wikipedia should be checked independently.
* Bias and Unbalanced Perspectives: While editors strive for neutrality, bias can still creep in, particularly on controversial topics. Different perspectives may not be equally represented.
* Constantly Changing Content: Wikipedia articles are constantly being updated. A citation to a Wikipedia page might be accurate today but inaccurate tomorrow due to edits. This makes it unreliable for referencing specific data or claims.
* Lack of Authority: Wikipedia articles are written by volunteers, not experts in all cases, leading to potential inaccuracies or misunderstandings of complex information.
While Wikipedia may be helpful for background research or to quickly grasp a general overview of a topic, your research paper should rely on reputable sources such as:
* Peer-reviewed academic journals: These articles undergo rigorous scrutiny before publication.
* Scholarly books: These are generally written by experts in the field and reviewed before publication.
* Government reports and statistics: Data from reputable government sources are typically reliable.
* Reputable news organizations: These are generally more reliable than blogs or social media for factual reporting, though careful consideration of potential bias is needed.
In short, use Wikipedia cautiously and only as a preliminary tool. Never cite Wikipedia directly in your research paper. Instead, use the references cited within a Wikipedia article to find credible primary and secondary sources for your research.