Wikipedia may be a good starting point for getting a quick understanding of a topic, but, generally, it is not considered good practice to cite or reference Wikipedia pages in university assignments. This is because Wikipedia’s editorial review process is less strict than the peer-review process that is part of scholarly publishing. If you are unsure, you can confirm with the instructor marking your assignment.

Many of our subject guides have a tab for “Background Sources” or “Reference Sources,” where you can find higher-quality academic alternatives to Wikipedia specific to your discipline.