Are Google and Wikipedia valid resources for my research?
Answer
Google and Wikipedia can give you a general background covering the topic of your paper. But beware, a Google search might bring up thousands of web sources showing information that is unverified, inaccurate or completely false, not to mention--advertising that's disguised as legitimate research. Wikipedia is similar. Use it for background inquiries and gathering of keywords, but the credibility of the articles is suspect since they are unsigned. The sources consulted might be scholarly. Check the bibliography at the bottom of the page for citations from legitimate publications.
The databases from the library's website give you access to professional journals that contain factual information written by credentialed authors. The articles are usually reviewed by peers in the field for accuracy and sound research before publishing. You're unlikely to find them with Google. You need these legitimate sources to write an acceptable paper.