Is the information on Wikipedia false?

Question

A lot of people have told me that Wikipedia was false information because people can post ideas on there, sometimes untrue. I'd like as many thoughts about or on it. Thanks!

Answer 1

There are documented cases of people falsifying their credentials when posting on Wikipedia.

That being said, Wikipedia is based on the "master mind" concept...in that if you have enough people contributing, false statements are "usually" identified and the best answer will "probably" filter to the top. That makes Wikipedia a good source for getting some focus in solving a problem or learning something. But if what you are looking into is important, you need to take it a step further and validate the Wikipedia information through more scientific/academic sources.

Answer 2

Some of Wikipedia's policy (among many others) includes NPOV (Neutral Point of View) and no Original Research (meaning you can't found a new type of atom and post it into there, someone other have to create it).

Those two alone should make Wikipedia a good source, although sometimes there are some evil edits (called vandals), these are usually corrected by other wikipedians shortly after it has been made. Although there has been vandal edits retaining itself after months, such a case if extremely rare. Mostly the information on Wikipedia is true to the root.

And you should know too that even a "professional" encyclopedia like Encarta or Britannica has histories for being incorrect or not pertaining a Neutral Point of View. And they're often not written by professionals on the fields too, yes they're written by professional editors, but sometimes they're not a professional in the field that they're writing. While in Wikipedia, both commoners and professional writes in Wikipedia.

And you should know, if you're writing an academic writing, most academy might not accept an encyclopedia resource at all, even for a professional encyclopedia.

Answer 3

The concept of Wikipedia is to share collective information. Anyone can write whatever they want on Wikipedia, making some of the information questionable. There is little editing and information may not be verified. However, the Wikipedia is a 'living' document that can be added to, erased, re-created, shared, changed as information becomes available.

One area that I find particularly fascinating about Wikipedia is the enormous amount of cultural information that has been gathered. Even the most trivial types of questions seem to end up as a page on Wikipedia. It is an intriguing and interesting form of sharing collective information. Be careful about quoting from it or believing every single thing you find there.

I've contributed a number of articles and pages to Wikipedia. It is always amusing for me to see my own work used as the informative source.

Answer 4

In general, it's true when you're looking at uncontroversial subjects like when someone was born or when the War of 1812 was fought. Any unintentional errors are generally corrected in the editing process that's constantly going on.

But when you get into recent or controversial stuff, people with agendas often manage to twist the info. Use Wikipedia to get a general idea of what's going on or for personal interest, but check with other sources (online or in printed libraries) for verification before you use it in a research paper.

Answer 5

i've got viewed biographical tips that replaced into obtrusive vandalism (that's, somebody needless to say merely wrote in a libelous line someplace interior the object), yet i've got no longer quite viewed tips integrated into the object that replaced into fake. yet remember, that's no longer what's significant. needless to say fake tips could desire to no longer stay in a piece of writing for long. what's greater touching directly to at Wikipedia is ATTRIBUTION. that's, it is not approximately despite if tips is nice or incorrect, yet despite if there's a good source to diminish back it up. because of the fact if there is not any source, despite if the tips is in all probability real, you may wager that's merely no longer interior the object for long. that's what numerous individuals forget. WIkipedia isn't in basic terms a compilation of random information and concepts human beings have, lumped mutually in a messy pile on a internet site (that's what Yahoo! solutions is). Citations are a significant portion of Wikipeda. If tips isn't noted, it is going to no longer be interior the object.

Answer 6

Articles in Wikipedia are written by common people, not professionals. That means if I wanted to write an article explaining how the sun is made out of chocolate and marshmallows, I could.

Most of the articles are written by people who know what they are talking about. Just be careful and make sure the author has his or her sources.

Answer 7

Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, and people can put incorrect information there (intentionally or by being misinformed themselves).

The idea is that the community will spot the error and fix it, but this doesn't always happen.

It can be a useful source for information, but you should always check your facts elsewhere.

Answer 8

No it is all very true.
If fake information is spotted it is normally altered by someone. Wikipedia staff also try their best to ensure all information is correct, any information that they deem to be false is highlighted blue, or a blue banner is shown at the top of the article.

I love Wikipedia and it has yet to fail me.

Answer 9

well, wikipedia information is true. yes people are allowed to post ideas on the website but it would not be immediately posted. the information runs through the wikipedia system so that the information is not false they make sure the information is not false i have done many book reports and have found information on wikipedia. almost all my teachers ask that we use this informational website. please rumors get around fast but this is the truth believe me i hope this helps

Answer 10

At times it can be false because any "Joe Schmoe" out there can post on Wiki. Most teachers don't allow their students to use Wiki as a source because it's not edited. I've found several mistakes on Wiki myself and really only use it when I'm curious about something.