Understanding Wikipedia

Understanding Wikipedia: What it does well, what it does poorly & what we can learn from it

Glenbrook Institute Day Mini-Conference, 2009

Kris Jacobson, GBS Library

Wikis in Plain English

“Wikipedia is first and foremost an effort to create and distribute a free encyclopedia of the highest possible quality to every single person on the planet in their own language.”

Jimmy Wales

Wikipedia’s Success

•Open•Organic•Google•Not an “encyclopedia”

What’s it good for?

“Our goal has always been Britannica or better quality. We don't always achieve that.”

Jimmy Wales

What’s it good for?

•Preliminary research on non-controversial topics

•Current events*•Things that young men tend to care about•Popular culture*•Going beyond the “party line” with politics

* with caveats

Current Events

Featured Content

Featured Content

Featured Content

Assessing Article Quality

Generally avoid articles with these symbols

Utilize the discussion tab

Understand the Assessment Criteria

Understand the limits of “neutrality”

Understand the limits of “neutrality”

Understand Costs & Benefits of Anonymous Editing

Building on the Wikipedia Model

Building on the Wikipedia Model

The End

Thanks to David Jakes for his help.