Wikipedia and the University, a Case Study

Wikipedia and the University, a Case Study - scientific work related to Wikipedia quality published in 2012, written by Charles Knight and Sam Pryke.

Overview

This article discusses the use of Wikipedia by academics and students for learning and teaching activities at Liverpool Hope University. Hope has distinctive aspects but authors consider the findings to be indicative of Wikipedia use at other British universities. First authors discuss general issues of Wikipedia use within the university. Second, authors examine existing research on Wikipedia use amongst students and academics. Based upon a sample of 133 academics and 1222 students, principal findings were: (1) 75% of academics and students use Wikipedia; (2) student use is typically confined to the initial stages of assessments; (3) a quarter of academics provide guidance on how to use Wikipedia and (4) 70% of academics use Wikipedia for background information for teaching purposes, something that it is not influenced by whether student use is tolerated or not. Authors conclusion is that whilst Wikipedia is now unofficially integrated into universities, it is not ‘the’ information resource as feared by many and that a...