Almost anyone who has gone through any sort of academic training requiring research knows that Wikipedia is the forbidden fruit of the internet. The voice of reason (your professor) makes a point of drilling the perils of Wikipedia use at the beginning of each year, and even beyond. However, if you have sunk your teeth into the myriad of pages Wikipedia has to offer, you might just find yourself tempted to reference them. While Wikipedia is not the best academic resource available, many are far to quick in dismissing its redeeming qualities.
A Quick Look into the Lifecycle of Wikipedia Page
Before continuing this article, I would highly recommend taking a few moments out of your day to view this video by Jon Udell on the history of the Wikipedia page dedicated to the Heavy Metal Umlaut. From a few sentences to a full fledged article and beyond, Udell follows some key aspects of a Wikipedia article that change over time.