Research Guides: BCC Library Resources and Research Strategies for English 110/111: Web Resources

Wikipedia as a Research Source and What to Know

EVALUATING WIKIPEDIA
Unlike similar information found in newspapers or television broadcasts, information available on the Internet is not regulated for quality or accuracy; therefore, it is particularly important for the individual Internet user to evaluate the resource or information. Keep in mind that almost anyone can publish anything they wish on the Web. It is often difficult to determine authorship of Web sources, and even if the author is listed, he or she may not always represent him or herself honestly, or he or she may represent opinions as fact. The responsibility is on the user to evaluate resources effectively. Remember to evaluate Wikipedia articles as well.

"The fundamental principles of Wikipedia may be summarized in five "pillars":

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia

Wikipedia is written from a neutral point of view

Wikipedia is free content that anyone can use, edit, and distribute

Wikipedia's editors should treat each other with respect and civility

Wikipedia has no firm rules

Wikipedia is a free online collaborative encyclopedia. Launched in 2001, it has grown in popularity and become one of the most visited websites on the internet, with millions of visitors every month.

Wikipedia is hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other projects:

A vast amount of online help is available to help you understand what Wikipedia is, how it operates, and how you can contribute to the resources".

DON'T WAIT TO THE LAST MINUTE!!

Web Resources

Criteria for Evaluating Web Resources
Anyone, student or consumer are strongly encouraged to employ a healthy skepticism when visiting any site and to use criteria, such as those indicated in the attached file to gather evidence on the quality of the information in the Web site.
How to Read A Journal Article
At first glance, a journal article might appear intimidating for some or confusing for others with word that may not be familiar with the reader. Reading a research article can be a frustrating experience, especially for the one who has not mastered the art of reading short or long articles. Just like there is a method to extract a tooth or prepare a dinner, one can also learn to read research articles by following a systematic approach.