Press releases/Ofqual report

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Wikimedia UK Supports Ofqual Report on Using Sources

7 January 2010, UK: Wikimedia UK today released the following statement regarding the Ofqual guide "Using Sources" mentioned yesterday in the Telegraph newspaper ("Schoolchildren told to avoid Wikipedia"):

"The Ofqual guide describes Wikipedia as "an excellent starting point for research" but that one "must always check the facts in a [Wikipedia] article". Ofqual is entirely correct in both points. In fact, this is exactly the advice that Wikipedia gives users.

"The Telegraph article gives a very inaccurate description of Ofqual's guidance. Ofqual does not say to avoid Wikipedia, just to make sure it is used correctly.

"The best Wikipedia articles summarize the available information on a subject, and avoid any information that cannot be referenced to a reliable source. Nearly every Wikipedia article cites the sources of its information at the bottom of the article, normally with inline citations to show which facts came from which source. If a fact is not referenced, then it should not be trusted unless you can find independent verification.

"If the facts in a Wikipedia article are not referenced, then they can be challenged and removed by anyone. If you can find a source for an unreferenced fact, then please add the source into the Wikipedia article! Otherwise, it should be removed."

EDITORS' NOTES

Further information

• Researching with Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Researching_with_Wikipedia

About Wikimedia UK:

Wikimedia UK is an independent organisation that supports free and open knowledge throughout the United Kingdom, including promoting and supporting the projects of the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation.

Contact details:

Michael Peel, Chair, Wikimedia UK

• Email: michael.peel@wikimedia.org.uk