Wikipedia

Wikipedia is the combination of “wiki” and “encyclopedia.”

Wikipedia is a free web based encyclopedia that is written collaboratively by its users. Most of the articles can be edited and subject to change by anyone with internet access. Since its creation on January 15th, 2001 in Tampa Bay, Florida, the site has garnered approximately 7.2 million articles in 251 languages and is currently in the top fifteen most-visited websites.

Due to the fact that anyone can edit the encyclopedia, people have criticized Wikipedia for being unreliable and inaccurate. However, studies have shown that Wikipedia rivals other encyclopedias for accuracy. The question still stands whether Wikipedia belongs in the academic world or should be merely reference for popular culture.