2007-05-01 01:55:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Once I searched in that site to aid in my report about dioxins.. (It was my main source of info..)
That issue is very controversial in the US because it is being debated by the environmentalists and the US government itself.
When I finished my report (which said that dioxins are not at all dangerous, thanks to Wikipedia) , my professor laughed at it.. He asked what site I've gotten all "that trash" because all I've reported was wrong!
I can't believe it..
My prof said that Wikipedia and a list of other similar sites were being paid by the US government to 'control' information about those kinds of things..
And I believed Wikipedia was credible all along..
However, I can't deny the fact that there are thousands of articles about almost everything, and that each of them are very detailed..
I think I would still use that site, but from now on I'll be cautious
about the information I'm getting from it..
^_^
2007-05-01 02:23:05 · answer #1 · answered by phicopacko 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not 100% accurate, and sometimes dead wrong.
But it is a quick and easy place to start. Wikipedia is a general soure of information which might lead to a more specific and accurate source of information.
No professional scholar would cite Wikipedia in a serious research paper.
2007-05-01 11:11:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because wikipedia is open to public editing, it is as accurate as the last edit to the article in question. I have seen articles with excellent information, and articles with total nonsense in them. I have edited articles on there, so I know how easy it is to put anything into them (good or bad).
Start with the information on wiki, but then check any important information with oher sources. It is still a good starting point for research on most subjetcs.
2007-05-01 09:06:36 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very accurate, although sometimes it can be innaccurate. this one time, i did it, and it turned out that it had a lot of bad words in it, but don't worry! the wikipedia staff has this special system, that moniters that kind of stuff. It will tell you in a special message that it doesn't fit the requirements of the normal wikipedia articles, and will or will probably need a complete cleanup. if you want, you can edit it, but be careful, it moniter's your every move. good luck and God bless!
2007-05-01 09:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by chaching 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the article and who did the last edit.
One of the main draw backs is the users who edit are not required to be knowledgeable or accountable for the information.
That said you can often get very good information but I would look for a alternate source to substantiate the data, just to be sure that the information is reputable.
2007-05-01 09:31:21 · answer #5 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very accurate, some people say that it isn't because you can edit it, but they have monitors who see if you edit anything they make sure it's right and change it if it's wrong.
2007-05-01 09:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not that accurate..some people go onto it and can revise everything. The people that do that could put something stupid down on purpose which could throw you off, so i wouldn't rely on it that much. But the people that dont do that could update it which makes it very updated all the time. i believe that you should always check your facts.
2007-05-01 09:05:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i wouldnt trust it.
people are able to edit information.
would use a book, or cd rom from a reputable company, like world book, or encarter.
2007-05-01 09:03:26 · answer #8 · answered by deaity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah its pretty acurate, but you cant use it as a reference because people can change it and it cant be watched 24 7
2007-05-01 09:03:19 · answer #9 · answered by Drewww 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋