Wikipedia as accurate as Encyclopedia Brittanica on science

In summary, Wikipedia is as accurate as Encyclopedia Britannica, but it's hard to rely on it as a sole source of information.
  • #1
Just some guy
69
1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4530930.stm

The free online resource Wikipedia is about as accurate on science as the Encyclopedia Britannica, a study shows.

Great news, but I wish they could have published this last week when I was writing an analysis on the validity of my Wikipedia references for my coursework
 
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  • #2
The problem with citing Wikipedia is that well... *anybody* can edit it. It's hard to blame if for some reason it goes wrong and you can't keep track of changes. Britannica 2004 will always be the 2004 version. Most Wiki authors will include sources/references they have written from, and most of the time you can cite those, so look for them!
 
  • #3
Just some guy said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4530930.stm
Great news, but I wish they could have published this last week when I was writing an analysis on the validity of my Wikipedia references for my coursework

Please read this thread:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=103804

If possible, read the source of this report, i.e. the one published in Nature.

Besides, how many serious scientific research work do you see that actually made citations to sources such as Encyclopedia Britannica, or Wikipedia anyway? You could do an analysis on that angle since the statistics quoted in Nature says that only barely 17% of the authors of nature actually use Wikipedia regularly.

Zz.
 
  • #4
It best to corroborate with alternative and independent sources, like PF! :wink:

Seriously, I always prefer to cross reference.

On-line Encyclopedias and Wikipedia are good 'starting' points, however, it is best to go to other sources for confirmation.
 
  • #5
I agree. It's a little flakey but it has worked pretty well for me, thus far. In fact, for those familiar with the "What Was It" thread - an exercise in internet sleuthing - I found obscure information at Wikipedia that was verified but only after a good deal of work on my part. It stands to reason that the internet can help to catalog an untold number of little facts and tidbits from history that might otherwise be lost. But filtering is a problem...as it always has been.
 
  • #6
If you're looking basic info, then Wikipedia is a good starting point. But if you're doing in-depth research and you'd like to know more you can also check out the links cited under each article, which points you to another and another, until you find another that interests you..

I believe Wikipedia imposed a much stricter guideline when it comes to posting/editing an article. They require you to create an account, most articles there are watched very closely for any errors/inconsistencies/what have you.
 
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  • #7
Ivan Seeking said:
In fact, for those familiar with the "What Was It" thread - an exercise in internet sleuthing - I found obscure information at Wikipedia that was verified but only after a good deal of work on my part. It stands to reason that the internet can help to catalog an untold number of little facts and tidbits from history that might otherwise be lost. But filtering is a problem...as it always has been.

I miss that thread! :cry:
 
  • #8
matthyaouw said:
I miss that thread! :cry:
Me too. :frown: (Though I'm not going to cry about it.) (Yet.)
 
  • #9
"Internet a great tool, but use it with caution," by Jay Ambrose

Specifically Wikipedia.

It would appear that the technical/scientific articles are accurate, or mostly so, however articles in the humanities may be more subjective.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/13430582.htm

A former newspaper editor and once an aide to Robert F. Kennedy, Siegenthaler found himself writing in USA Today about “poison-pen intellects” on the Web after one of them used the online encyclopedia to implicate him in the assassinations of both Robert and John F. Kennedy. Once discovered, the guilty party apologized profusely and said he was playing a joke on what he thought was a prankster Web site.

For some commentators, the episode points up a couple of important truths. One of them is that Wikipedia, which allows anyone and everyone to write and edit its entries that now number 850,000 in English alone, must either bite the dust or be utterly transformed. The other is that the Internet is not the great research tool some think it is – that it is too full of worse-than-Wikipedia baloney: the conclusions of the uninformed, the vitriol of the mean-spirited, the musings of idiots.
 
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  • #10
Astro that article is a bit overboard don't you think?
From everything that I have read on and about Wikipedia they try very hard to keep their articles factually accurate and clean up edit abuse. They even discuss the entries and I have several times found them telling each other they need to be less biased and stick to the facts.
 
  • #11
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_3444567

... as if one needs any more convincing that the accuracy of any entry in Wikipedia can be questionable. If one relies SOLELY on this source (look around PF and you can already tell how many do), then one deserves what one gets.

Zz.
 
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FAQ: Wikipedia as accurate as Encyclopedia Brittanica on science

Is Wikipedia really as accurate as Encyclopedia Brittanica when it comes to science?

Yes, multiple studies have shown that Wikipedia is just as accurate as Encyclopedia Brittanica on science-related topics. One study published in the journal Nature found that both sources had a similar rate of errors in their articles on science topics.

How is the accuracy of Wikipedia articles on science maintained?

Wikipedia has a strict policy of requiring reliable sources for all information included in articles. This means that information on science topics must be backed up by reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals or books written by experts in the field. Additionally, Wikipedia has a large community of volunteer editors who regularly fact-check and update articles.

Can anyone edit Wikipedia articles on science?

Yes, anyone can technically edit Wikipedia articles, but there are measures in place to ensure accuracy and reliability. As mentioned before, all information must be backed up by reliable sources and there is a community of editors who review and monitor changes made to articles.

Are there any disadvantages to using Wikipedia for scientific research?

One potential disadvantage is that Wikipedia articles can be edited by anyone, which means that there is a possibility of vandalism or misinformation being added to articles. However, because of the strict sourcing requirements and community of editors, these instances are rare and usually corrected quickly.

Are there any advantages to using Wikipedia over Encyclopedia Brittanica for scientific research?

One advantage of using Wikipedia is that it is constantly updated, while print encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Brittanica may be outdated. Additionally, Wikipedia is free and easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection, whereas Encyclopedia Brittanica requires a subscription or purchase.

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