Can we cite Wikipedia? What if it was more reliable than its detractors? (2025)
The article discusses the ongoing debate about the reliability of Wikipedia as a source for academic citation. It argues that Wikipedia's systematic rejection in academic circles is often based on outdated biases, despite its widespread use among students and educators. The author suggests that Wikipedia's verification mechanisms and the issues within traditional academic publishing deserve more recognition.
- ▪Wikipedia is widely used by students and professors, raising questions about its citation in academic work.
- ▪The manuscript explores the reasons behind the rejection of Wikipedia as a credible source.
- ▪The author argues that Wikipedia's reliability is often underestimated compared to traditional academic sources.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Computer Science > Computers and Society arXiv:2509.02462 (cs) [Submitted on 2 Sep 2025 (v1), last revised 26 Nov 2025 (this version, v2)] Title:Can we cite Wikipedia? What if Wikipedia was more reliable than its detractors ? Authors:Mohamed El Louadi View a PDF of the paper titled Can we cite Wikipedia? What if Wikipedia was more reliable than its detractors ?, by Mohamed El Louadi View PDF HTML (experimental) Abstract:Wikipedia, a widely successful encyclopedia recognized in academic circles and used by both students and professors alike, has led educators to question whether it can be cited as an information source, given its widespread use for this very purpose.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at arXiv.org.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from arXiv.org
