Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaiba
a reference and a source are the same thing wikipedia is full of bullshit so if he is referencing to prove a point then he fails cos its wikipedia the most unrealiable thing in the world bar the pa team !!  |
Firstly, a reference is not the same as a source:
Merriam Webster: Reference
Merriam Webster: Source
One refers to a source, to this extent you are correct. However, a reference does not have to be to the actual first hand material. Indeed, wikipedia itself includes references to the actual sources, thereby making it a secondary source.
As to the reliability of Wikipedia, there have been studies made on this subject:
BBC: Wikipedia survives research test
A more complete history of fact checking Wikipedia is found, where else, but on Wikipedia:
Reliability of Wikipedia