Can we talk about reference books vs Wikipedia for research? Two weeks ago my professor said using Wikipedia was fine for background, but the librarian said to stick with print sources. Now I'm stuck on which side is right for a 10-page history paper on the Oregon Trail.

2 comments

2 Comments

Oh that librarian comment about sticking with print sources takes me back! I once had a research paper due on the Donner Party and spent three days in the library basement flipping through dusty books. Turns out the "expert" local historian had gotten a bunch of dates wrong in his print book from 1952. Wikipedia actually caught the error. So yeah, both sides can be wrong sometimes!

grayw3222d ago

Can we all just admit that "expert sources" can be hot garbage sometimes? lol I had a similar thing happen with a local history book about old mining towns, and the guy had whole timelines mixed up. It's wild how a random Wikipedia editor can sometimes be more on point than someone with a whole book deal.