Many online schools have banned Wikipedia as a research source. This user-based online encyclopedia can be a great way to get basic information on a topic; however, it is prone to factual errors. CollegeDegree.com recently published a list of 25 Wikipedia alternatives online. Here's a blurb from their article:

"Although Wikipedia is a great place to find information, it's subject to incomplete citations, biased views, and inaccuracies. And when you absolutely have to have undisputable facts, that's just not good enough. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives out there that can deliver with high quality accuracy, and we've listed 25 of the best here."

Check out the full article for links to some of the best legitimate research sources online - your professors will thank you.