Wikipedia - Use It or Lose It

This week I am discussing Wikipedia. There is lots of debate in the academic world about the use of this site. One of the best discussions out there is this one “Debate over Wikipedia at Middlebury College”.

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia) they report that several studies have been done about their reliability. The study by the journal Nature reported the site was up to the accuracy of Encyclopedia Britannica. They state while the site is open to editing all the editing is checked and vandalism is removed right away.

I looked at four entries having to do with Robeson County: Alice B. Russell Micheaux, African-American actress; Angus Wilton McLean, NC Governor; Malcom McLean, and the town of Maxton, NC.

I had never realized before that there was a tab for the history of revisions to the entry and also one for discussion about the entry.

The entries seemed factual until I studied Malcom McLean’s entry. It contained numerous errors that would have only been known by someone familiar with his life. I am planning on making corrections and will back up with primary and secondary sources that are in my files.

The entries for Micheaux and Malcom McLean are part of the WikiProject Biography. While the one for Angus Wilton McLean is part of the WikiProject North Carolina and

WikiProject U.S. Governors, the Maxton part of the WikiProject North Carolina and WikiProject North Carolina To-do.

In looking at the history of revisions Micheaux had not had any updates; the changes in Angus Wilton McLean and Maxton had been mostly to clean up and changed banners and the like. Malcom McLean’s entry has had several updates and changes and it appears that a lot of facts were changed that now make the entry not as useful.

So as with most things found on the internet you need to look closely at the sources and if in doubt never use.