Final answer:
Two downsides of using Wikipedia are its potential lack of reliability and its limitation as a source for academic research. The most common reference formats are APA and MLA, which vary depending on the subject and instructor's preferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two downsides to using Wikipedia are:
- The information on Wikipedia is not always reliable or accurate, as it can be edited by anyone, which increases the risk of misinformation.
- Wikipedia should not be used as a sole source for academic research, as it is not peer-reviewed and lacks the depth and critical analysis found in scholarly sources.
When it comes to references, the most common formats used are APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association). The choice of format depends on the requirements of the assignment or the preference of the instructor. APA format is commonly used in the social sciences, such as psychology or sociology, while MLA format is often used in humanities subjects, such as English or history. Both formats provide clear guidelines on how to cite sources and create a consistent format for citations in a paper.