Final answer:
Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source for research papers due to its lack of peer-review and open editing. It can be used as a starting point to gather general information and find other sources, but students should rely on authoritative sources such as academic articles and books for their research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wikipedia is a popular online encyclopedia that provides information on a wide range of topics. It can be a useful starting point for research papers by providing a general overview of a subject and pointing to other sources.
However, it is not considered a reliable source for academic research papers because it is not peer-reviewed and can be edited by anyone. It is recommended to use authoritative sources such as academic articles, books, and reputable websites for research papers.