Faculty perception of Wikipedia in the California State University System
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether faculty perceptions of Wikipedia have changed over a five-year period.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted of four universities in the California State University System – California State University, East Bay; Humboldt State University; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and California State University, Fresno. Following the survey, respondents who volunteered their contact information were interviewed about their perceptions and/or their assignments/projects involving Wikipedia.
Findings
The study showed that, overall, faculty perceptions of Wikipedia have shifted in Wikipedia’s favor and that some faculty members create interesting and unique assignments that involve Wikipedia or Wikipedia-like work.
Research limitations/implications
This study sampled 4 of 23 campuses in the California State University System.
Practical implications
The growing acceptance of Wikipedia has implications for course work with students both in terms of assignments in the discipline and also for the need to ensure students understand how to evaluate sources.
Social implications
The shift to Wikipedia is symptomatic of the larger shift to non-traditional research tools.
Originality/value
The literature discussing faculty perceptions of Wikipedia has not discussed whether faculty perceptions are shifting.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank California State University, East Bay, for supporting this project through a 2012-2013 Research Scholarly and Creative Activity (RSCA) Grant.
Citation
Soules, A. (2015), "Faculty perception of Wikipedia in the California State University System", New Library World, Vol. 116 No. 3/4, pp. 213-226. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-08-2014-0096
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited